A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
Due to the heavy rain falls, which varied between 160 and 200 mm in three days equalling to a normal monthly ratio, the southern and south-eastern parts of Albania were hit by major floods, leading to the evacuation of some 850 families from their houses starting from Sunday, 1 February 2015.
The situation in Vlora and Fier, Berat, Elbasan and Gjirokaster districts became increasingly critical. The heavy rains, pouring uninterruptedly for almost five days increased the levels of the Vjosa, Devoll, Osum and Seman rivers which overflew and caused huge flooding in several areas endangering also some major national highways. The rise of the rivers threatened the nearby communities and villages of Levan, Darzeze, Fitore, Poro, Delisuf, Akerni, Novosele, Docove, Frakull, Bishan, Mifol, Ferras and Ura Vajgurore.
The Albanian Government mobilized the State Police, the Military Units, and the Emergency Teams which assisted the affected families in high-risk areas, especially with the evacuation of people and livestock, mostly to relatives and friends. Food packages and bottled water were distributed to the most vulnerable families with the support of private companies.
According to the information provided by the Red Cross branches operating in the flooded areas, many affected families lost their winter food reserves and their livestock as well as their home furniture and household appliances.
Based on the local branches` report there was no need for Family Restoring Links services as the evacuated families were sheltered mostly with their relatives.
Some power stations and water supply stations were inundated too. So, many of the affected areas had no electric power and drinking water, which added to the level of vulnerability of many families. The local authorities organized the distribution of safe water to the residents.
According to the consolidated data received from the Emergency Commission and the Albanian local authorities, these were the figures of evacuations and material damages.
Some 42,000 people were affected in all the flooded areas; in Vlora 15,800, Fier 20,000, Berat, Elbasan, and Gjirokaster 6,100 people.
850 families had to be evacuated.
Around 2,000 houses were surrounded by water; most of them already flooded and seriously damaged: in the areas of Vlore 750 houses, in Fier 720, in Berat180, in Elbasan 260 and in Gjirokaster 90 houses.
Around 3,500 heads of livestock got killed; around 6,000 animals had to be evacuated.
An area of 17,000 acres of farm land was flooded: in the areas of Vlora 8,000 acres, Fier 7,000 acres, Berat 1,000 acres, Elbasan 600 acres, Gjirokastra 400 acres.
The State Police urged all citizens who had been planning to travel to the south to cancel any movement. Furthermore, many bridges were destroyed thereby preventing traffic on the main communication routes. Emergency evacuations were supported by the military units, following the water levels` rise.