TIRANA, January 7 – Minister of Internal Affairs Albana Koçiu said after meeting the Emergency Staff in Shkodër that authorities are continuously monitoring the situation.

She noted that the country experienced heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours. The rain is expected to continue into the next day.

Koçiu added that monitoring takes place not only in Shkodër but also in Durrës, Kukës, Fier, and Vlora. The goal is to strengthen coordination and prevent problems.

She explained that she and local and national officials, including the mayor, the director of the National Civil Protection Agency, the prefect of Shkodër, the State Police, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, and other relevant structures, track the rainfall situation across the country.

Koçiu said that authorities monitor water releases from the Buna River and Shkodër Lake. They aim to prevent flooding in urban areas and agricultural lands.

She added that the situation remains under control. Officials coordinated at a meeting of the Emergency Committee in Shkodër to manage both river releases and rain inflows. No problems have been reported.

Koçiu stressed that authorities will continue monitoring rainfall and water releases overnight and through the next morning, which she described as an emergency phase. She expects rainfall to decrease by tomorrow afternoon, improving conditions.

Finally, the minister urged citizens to exercise caution. She asked them to follow guidance from local and national authorities to stay safe during this phase.

/a.p./