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Publication Date November 9, 2016 | The Watchers

Severe flooding in Balkans forces hundreds to evacuate

Albania

Heavy rainfalls have caused the rivers in Albania to swell. Several regions reported floods and landslides while Tirana observed more than 100 mm (3.93 inches) of precipitation in a 24 hour period. Flood waters were up to 50 cm (19.68 inches) deep on some roads, prompting road closures.

In a 24 hour period between November 7 and 8, 108 mm (4.25 inches) of rainfall was reported in Gjirokastra and 68 mm (2.68 inches) in Shkodra, Albania, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Between November 8 and 9, 104 mm (4.09 inches) was recorded in Tirana La Praka and 58.1 mm (2.29 inches) in Kukes.

72-hr rainfall accumulation as observed by the GPM Core Observatory. Image credit: Google/NASA/JAXA/GPM

72-hr rainfall accumulation as observed by the GPM Core Observatory. Image: Google/NASA/JAXA/GPM

Several rivers in Albania overflowed, including the Mat river in Diber county, the Black River in Durres county, the Zme river in Lezhë county, and the river Bushtricë in Kukës county where landslides also caused road blockages at several locations.

 

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