Minister of Defence, Pirro Vengu: Good morning, everyone and thank you for your readiness. Together with the Minister of Agriculture, we have decided to deliver a joint situation report with all regional prefects.

Given the meteorological conditions, as you know, we carried out a preliminary assessment on Saturday. We convened the Emergency Committee and circulated the national risk map, focusing both personnel and equipment on areas assessed as facing the highest risk.

Specifically, in the early morning hours we have seen a deterioration of the situation in Durrës, in the Kënetë–Spitallë area, as well as in urban areas of the city of Durrës, where interventions have been carried out near residential buildings. Access to certain schools has also been restricted due to floodwater levels across the city.

At the same time, we are on the ground with additional forces, equipment, high-capacity pumps on maximum readiness in the Durrës area, following requests from the prefecture. The Director of National Civil Protection Agency is also on the ground in Gjadër, where together with the Municipality of Lezhë we are monitoring the situation hour by hour in order to prevent escalation, given that inflows from the entire basin are affecting agricultural zones.

At this moment, the situation is considered to be under control. However, we remain vigilant, as this weather front will continue throughout the afternoon and evening, and also tomorrow. Both in the north-west, as well as in the south, there may be situations that could create additional difficulties.

I would now like to hand over to the Minister of Agriculture regarding measures taken and those that will continue to be taken, particularly in relation to drainage channels and embankments. It should be noted that we have not faced embankment issues, also due to the significant interventions carried out over recent months. Nevertheless, we must remain vigilant and will keep drainage directorate equipment on standby, based on the needs identified by municipalities and prefectures.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Andis Salla:

With regard to the Ministry of Agriculture, the entire Water Supply and Sewerage team and the institutions under our authority are at the disposal of this situation, especially in Shkodër, where inflows are currently lighter. However, Lezhë and Durrës face issues with flooding of agricultural areas. At present, several hectares are flooded, and our structures remain on standby.

I would like to call on the prefects to coordinate with municipalities. The drainage boards’ directorates are in full coordination with municipalities, but we also need close coordination with Civil Emergencies and the drainage boards due to issues linked to flooding in some of the main channels, which risk overflowing. Our aim is to prevent flooding which, at present, mainly affects agricultural land, so that it does not create problems for citizens’ homes.

We will be on the ground together with the Minister to coordinate and to remain coherent and present alongside each of you. In these two areas, we will follow the situation closely, monitor all challenges, and intervene with additional resources if necessary.

Minister of Defence, Pirro Vengu:

Considering the situation on the ground in both Durrës and Lezhë, and at the request of the prefectures, the Armed Forces Support Command and the General Staff have ensured the deployment of equipment, suction pumps, and high-mobility firefighting vehicles.

If a situation arises requiring similar deployment, we will act immediately also in the Lezhë area, given the readiness of the Vau i Dejës unit.

I must also stress that intense rainfall will continue in the coming hours. For this reason, the National Civil Emergencies Mechanism has requested maximum readiness from all municipalities and all regions, as well as close coordination and cooperation between institutions and state energy companies, OSHEE and OST, to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.

At the same time, the cascade is being properly managed by the Albanian Power Corporation. Since last night, controlled discharges have begun in order to prevent forced discharges. For the moment, the situation is under control. Inflows into the cascade will continue, therefore controlled discharges remain essential to prevent larger-scale flooding.

It should be acknowledged that all pumping stations (hydrovors) are operating at full capacity, practically from Lezhë to Vlorë. Maintenance measures have been carried out in recent days, enabling full operational readiness.

It must be noted that the concentration of forces in Lezhë, particularly in Gjadër where we expect river levels to rise in the coming hours, should be accompanied by an increase in equipment in that area, so that we can remain close to residents at all times. I therefore call on local institutions to report all needs in real time, both in rural and urban areas.

Emergency health services and the Road Police are also deployed and are ensuring continuity, both in support of the population and in support of institutions intervening on the ground.

At present, 10 families have been evacuated from their homes in Durrës and Shijak, as their residences have effectively been surrounded by water. We expect a return to normal conditions in that area before these families can return home. Meanwhile, municipalities and state material reserves are taking measures to provide support during these critical hours.

We once again appeal for maximum caution among residents, in cooperation with the authorities, and for strict adherence to instructions issued on the ground, in order to prevent any kind of tragedy in such situations.

We will remain on standby in the field over the coming hours and will issue periodic updates from the National Civil Emergencies Operations Centre here in Tirana, so that the public is as well informed and alert as possible, especially in areas where risk is heightened.