Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10TIRANA6
2010-01-07 15:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN NORTHERN ALBANIA
how-toVZCZCXRO2617 RR RUEHIK DE RUEHTI #0006/01 0071548 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 071548Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8713 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
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
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.
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.