Flooding triggered by days of severe winter weather has killed at least one person in Albania and inundated homes in neighbouring Montenegro, as rivers burst their banks and emergency teams scrambled to rescue residents and restore transport links.
In southern Albania, the Vjosa River overflowed near Novosela in the Vlorë region, prompting evacuation orders as floodwaters threatened residential areas.
Rescue teams used inflatable boats to reach residents trapped by the rising waters, including two elderly people whose home was flooded to a depth of about 1.5 metres.
In Durrës, a 54-year-old man was found dead in an irrigation canal after being swept away by floodwaters, according to reports.
Emergency services were working to remove water from about 800 buildings, while approximately 300 people had been moved into temporary shelters.
The flooding also affected neighbouring Montenegro, where the Zeta River inundated residential areas in Danilovgrad, affecting about 30 homes and several nearby villages.
Near the capital, Podgorica, soldiers and engineers constructed a temporary pontoon bridge after a torrent destroyed an existing crossing, disrupting local movement.
Excavators were deployed to clear drainage channels, while emergency crews worked to reopen affected routes and restore transport connections.
The floods followed several days of severe winter weather across the Balkans, with heavy rainfall contributing to rising river levels and widespread inundation.
Some parts of Albania recorded more than 100 millimetres of rainfall within 24 hours, intensifying pressure on rivers and drainage systems.
Authorities have also warned that further snowfall and icy conditions could cause additional disruption, complicating rescue operations and recovery efforts.
Emergency services continue to monitor affected areas as residents face the risk of further flooding and worsening weather conditions.
