Heavy rainfall over the past two days has caused flooding in several municipalities across Kosovo, disrupting electricity and water supply, and blocking traffic.
Rainfall over the past two days has caused flooding across several western and central municipalities in Kosovo, disrupting electricity and water supply, forcing evacuation, and disrupting traffic because of roads being blocked.
The most severe situation has been reported in the municipality of Drenas, where the Drenica River overflowed its banks, flooding several homes and businesses. Multiple roads in the area are closed and several families living near high-risk zones were evacuated.
The Kosovo Hydrometeorological Institute, IHMK, reported that, “continuous and intense rainfall has led to flooding in several parts of the country”, particularly in western Kosovo.
A road in Drenas flooded following heavy rainfall. Photo: BIRN.
Municipalities affected include Gjakova, Junik, Deçan, Malisheva, Rahovec, Klina, Fushe Kosova where rivers and streams have overflowed due to sustained precipitation.
The IHMK warned that, “rainfall with varying intensity is expected to continue in the coming days, increasing the risk of flooding, traffic disruptions, sewer system overloads, and landslides in vulnerable areas.”
The IHMK recorded increased water levels in the main rivers in Kosovo—Ibër, Sitnica, Lepenc, and Morava e Binçës.
Flooding has also affected the electricity network. The Kosovo Electricity Distribution Company, KEDS, stated temporary power outages in Drenas, Malisheva, and Rahovec after floodwaters affected critical infrastructure.
“In Drenas, water penetrated an electrical substation, posing a serious risk to the safe operation of the power grid,” KEDS notified.
Water supply has been disrupted in several regions as well. The Shkabaj Water Treatment Plant was taken out of operation due to extremely high turbidity levels in the Ibër-Lepenc canal caused by heavy rainfall.
As a result, the Regional Water Utility Company “Prishtina” announced water reductions in Fushë Kosovë, Drenas, Obiliq, and parts of the Kalabria neighbourhood in Prishtina. “Additional reductions may affect other parts of the capital,” the company said.
Firefighters evacuate residents from flooded homes in Gjakova. Photo: BIRN.
Similarly, the Regional Water Company “Mitrovica” temporarily suspended water supply due to elevated turbidity levels in the same canal.
The National Institute of Public Health has urged citizens to take extra precautions to protect their health and safety following the heavy rains. While no water contamination has been reported so far, the institute advised residents who rely on unprotected wells to boil water before use or seek alternative safe water sources.
The Municipality of Prishtina called on residents to avoid flooded areas.
“Continued rain could lead to traffic congestion, overloaded drainage systems, water accumulation in urban areas and underpasses, and the risk of landslides in vulnerable zones,” the municipality said.
Similar weather conditions are foreseen in the coming days as well.