Bad weather grips Albania, state on alert

TIRANA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Albania was swept by bad weather Thursday, with heavy rainfalls and storms prevailing all over the country.

Rain in the last 24 hours has also increased the risks of massive flooding in different parts of Albania, with the precipitation forecast to continue throughout the week.

To help citizens cope with flooding situations and assist in flood-hit areas, Albanian Defense Minister Olta Xhacka told reporters at a press conference Thursday that country's armed forces were ready to come to the rescue.

According to Xhacka, local and central institutions were asked to take "urgent measures" to prevent flood damage.

She also said that talks were ongoing with the ministries to guarantee the water supply and energy, and work to enable water drainage.

Meanwhile, data provided by Albania's civil emergency department showed that floods were first recorded in northern city of Shkodra where significant surfaces of land are under water.

In the border zone with Montenegro, water has flooded around 40 hectares of land, and there have been power shortages in many villages around Shkodra.

In Velipoja, around 80 hectares of land are flooded and the number is expected to grow. Enditem