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Heavy rains sweep Albania to deteriorate flood situation

Xinhua, February 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Heavy rain, snow and high winds swept the entire territory of Albania on Wednesday morning as the flood situation in Albania's southern regions is expected to further deteriorate in the coming days.

According to Albanian Telegraphic Agency, Albanian authorities called on evacuated residents in the hardest-hit areas not to return home because situation remains critical and is expected to worsen.

Central and local authorities also call on residents to closely cooperate with civil emergency crews on the ground and the State Police structures to evacuate if needed.

Meanwhile snow and ice swept Albanian northern regions overnight hampering the traffic along national roads. Road transport authorities call on drivers to use snow chains.

Albanian Ministry of Interior said in a press release a day ago that an estimated 5,000 hectares across the country were under water due to flooding over the past four days.

According to Ministry of Interior, more than 420 families have been evacuated, while emergency crews have also started to distribute food and blanket packages to residents in worst-hit areas of the commune of Novesele, in the southern Albanian city of Vlora. Endit