Repair works started in parts of Albania on November 24 after days of torrential rain caused widespread flooding, with damage to farmland and livestock losses, the defence ministry announced on November 24. 

The extreme rainfall has also disrupted transport links and power supplies in parts of the country. The Albanian army has been deployed to help reach communities isolated by flooding, and is now involved in the cleanup and repair operations. 

“After the nationwide coordination of recent days, in support of the affected areas and communities,  improving weather gives us the opportunity to engage all forces and capacities in the function of rehabilitation,” said a defence ministry statement on Facebook. 

The ministry said soldiers have been sent to carry out repair works in  Saranda, Finiq, Maliq, Lac and Bovilla. 

Previously, the ministry said on November 23 that the situation was gradually stabilising “although in some districts the problems accumulated by high river flows, landslides and infrastructure damage continue. The levels of most rivers are falling, while hydropowers in the most affected areas are operating at full capacity.” 

The statement added: “Emergency Forces, Armed Forces, local structures and quick response teams remain on the ground to normalise the situation and keep the risk areas under control.”