One dead after days of torrential rain brings flooding across large swaths of Albania

At least one person has died as torrential rains triggered widespread flooding across Albania, authorities confirmed Saturday, with rural communities bearing the brunt of the disaster.

Police recovered the body of a 76-year-old woman in the southeastern municipality of Devoll after floodwaters began receding in the area. The victim, who had been reported missing by her son, is believed to have been swept away by powerful currents. A search operation conducted by military personnel on Friday had initially failed to locate her.

In the southern village of Dushar, approximately 30 families remain isolated as flooding has rendered access roads impassable, cutting them off from essential services and supplies. Emergency responders are working to establish alternative routes to reach the stranded residents.

The deluge has caused major rivers to overflow their banks, inundating vast swaths of agricultural land throughout the Balkan nation. The Vjosa River, which flows through southern Albania, and the Seman River, which runs through the low-lying Myzeqeja plain, both breached their banks, transforming productive farmland into murky lakes.

According to the Civil Protection Agency, the northwestern Lezha region has been particularly hard-hit, with approximately 220 hectares (544 acres) of land still underwater. The flooding represents a significant blow to Albania’s agricultural sector, which accounts for about 20 percent of the country’s GDP and employs roughly 40 percent of its workforce.

Local farmers have expressed grave concerns about crop losses, with many reporting extensive damage to their fields and harvests. Videos shared on social media platforms show homes surrounded by muddy water and agricultural equipment partially submerged.

“This is devastating for our community,” said one farmer from the Lezha region who declined to be named. “Many of us depend entirely on these crops for our livelihood.”

Defense Minister Pirro Vengu conducted an inspection of flooded areas in the southern Sarande District on Saturday to assess the damage firsthand and coordinate response efforts. The minister’s visit underscores the government’s concern about the scale of the disaster.

“Our priority is ensuring the safety of all citizens affected by these floods,” Vengu told reporters during his tour. “We are mobilizing all available resources to provide assistance where it’s most needed.”

Weather forecasts indicate the situation may deteriorate further, with additional rainfall predicted in the coming days. Civil Emergency Teams remain on high alert, prepared to evacuate more residents if necessary and distribute emergency supplies to affected communities.

Albania is no stranger to flooding, particularly during autumn and winter months. However, climate experts have noted that extreme weather events have become more frequent and intense across the Balkans in recent years, a trend consistent with climate change predictions for the Mediterranean region.

The current floods come at a challenging time for Albania’s economy, which was already grappling with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation. The agricultural losses are expected to put additional pressure on food prices in the country.

Local authorities are now focusing on immediate relief operations while beginning to assess the full extent of the damage to infrastructure, homes, and farmland. The Albanian government has not yet announced whether it will request international assistance, though neighboring countries have previously offered aid during similar natural disasters.

As emergency responders continue their work, many rural communities face an uncertain road to recovery, with rebuilding efforts likely to stretch into the coming months.