WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN NORTHERN ALBANIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000006 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EUR/SCE:JISMAIL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EAID SENV SOCI PHUM AL SUBJECT: WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN NORTHERN ALBANIA TIRANA 00000006 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Albania continues to experience heavy flooding around the northern cities of Shkoder and Lezhe and the Drini River Delta. Media has reported that approximately 10,000 acres in the coastal floodplain are flooded. Initial reports from the GOA are that 870 houses have been destroyed by flooding as well. The road connecting Shkoder to Tirana is reportedly only passable by high-clearance vehicles, and the road connecting Tropoje (in Northern Albania) to the rest of the country is currently impassable. The government has established a Civil Emergency Command Center, which moved today to Shkoder. The Ministry of Interior reported today to Post that it has evacuated 2000 inhabitants to date and that 1000 inhabitants in the region remain at risk and may be evacuated in coming days. The GOA submitted an official request for assistance today in NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center (EADRCC). Yesterday, Post convened an Emergency Action Task Force. The Consular Section is drafting a warden message to American citizens and has contacted known Amcits in Shkoder and Lezhe. Post has approximately $25,000 funds in the Ambassador's Emergency fund. Any other assistance will require a declaration of national disaster by the Albanian Government. End Summary. OVERALL SITUATION -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Major floods have been ongoing for the past 48 hours in northwestern Albania, in the Drini River Delta area, affecting the regions of Shkoder and Lezha. The area flooded is approximately 10,000 acres in the coastal floodplain. 13 villages around Shkoder and Lezhe are at risk of flooding. The villages of Dajc and Obot have been hit the hardest to date. Rains are continuing and are anticipated throughout the weekend. The current temperature of approximately 50 degrees is contributing to snow melt in the mountains which is exacerbating the flooding. ¶3. (SBU) The Major hydro-electric dams of Fierze, Konan and Vaudejes are all at risk of overflowing. Today in a press conference, Minister of Energy Dritan Prifti declared that the Ministry is maintaining safe water levels in the dams by producing electricity at full capacity and by releasing water through the dams' flood gates. However, Fierze is especially close to maximum limits (292 meters, where as the limit is 296). Nevertheless, the Minister of Interior told Post on January 6 that the three dams are releasing water via the floodgates at only 25 percent of capacity, meaning they have a good deal of excess release capacity left if need be. ¶4. (SBU) Media reports that the main national road connecting Shkoder and Tirana is covered by 50cm of water and only large trucks can pass. The road is being used for the evacuation, with vehicles traveling both north and south. All low clearance vehicles are being turned-around from flooded areas of the road by police officials. Major roads and bridges north of Shkoder (including the Muriqan border crossing) are currently clear, open and in use. GOA ACTIONS -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The GOA has declared an "Emergency Situation" but has not made an official disaster declaration. A Civil Emergency Command Center has been established. Today the center moved to Shkoder. 150 additional police officers are supporting local police to evacuate the area, especially Dajc and Obot. The Ministry of Interior reports that it has evacuated 2000 inhabitants from these two villages; there are still 1000 in their homes. ¶6. (SBU) The GOA has a contingency fund of approximately $80 million. They can tap into this fund if necessary but to date no requests have come for any support connected to the flooding. ¶7. (SBU) The GOA confirmed to Post that it has submitted an official request for assistance today in NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center (EADRCC). Foreign Minister Meta will hold a meeting with European and US Ambassadors and Charges to make an official request for assistance. The GOA has also announced that it is in consultations with the commissar of Italy's largest dams. US ACTIONS -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Yesterday, the Embassy convened an Emergency Action Task Force, to monitor the situation and make contingency plans. There are eight Peace Corps volunteers residing in Shkoder and Lezhe. However, they are returning today to Tirana today for in-house training. As of 1600 Tirana time, four of the volunteers had arrived in Tirana. We believe there are 17 other Amcits in TIRANA 00000006 002 OF 002 these regions. The consular section has attempted direct contact with the known Amcits, but a few phones and e-mail addresses registered are not responding. The consul section has been in contact with most of these Amcits and is preparing a general warden message. ¶9. (SBU) USAID is in close contact with their Office of Disaster Assistance in Budapest. Potential funds that can be provided immediately is $50,000 but only if the GOA issues an official disaster declaration.