Bad weather, Armed Forces on the ground, Peleshi: Emergency Staff have been ready for 10 days, endangered residents were evacuated on time

Published: Sunday, 12 December 2021 12:37

 

 

The Ministry of Defense is monitoring the situation caused by high-intensity rainfall in recent days. Following the information which the structures of National Civil Protection Agency have provided about the endangered residents by heavy rains, the Armed Forces are engaged on the ground to ensure their safety.

The General Director of the National Civil Protection Agency, Haki Cako, and the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response Robert Hysenllari are monitoring the dangerous situation on the ground.

Defence Minister Niko Peleshi told the media that in certain areas in the north and south of the country, the situation is critical, but fewer damages due to investments made in recent years, compared to 2017.

"The damage is much smaller than in 2017, due to the intervention in these years, by created an embankment. This intervention has prevented the river overflowing from Darëzeza, protecting many lands from floods. We have evacuated people and taken action right on time and had also the cooperation of the residents. I understand the residents' feelings in these situations, but we have 10 days announcing the forecast. We have set up emergency staff 'till 10 days.", - said Minister Peleshi.

According to him, the water level rise at the Mifol Bridge is the largest ever. "We have emergency situations, from north to south, due to the massive flooding mostly in the south, and blocked road axes also in the north, as in Theth, where it is difficult to travel. While in some villages there is lack of electricity."”, - said Minister Peleshi.

Gjirokastra region is getting better, as all national roads are now passable. We are working with snowplow equipment on the Erind - Cajup road axis. In general, all the flooded lands are drained and the water level of the Drino riverbed has a decrease of 30 cm within its bed.

Based on the IGEO weather forecast, the Defence Minister declared that the weather condition will improve in the coming hours, and especially the withdrawal in the area near the Mifol Bridge is expected to happen.