Serious flooding hits Vlora, submerging businesses and homes

Heavy rainfall on October 4 led to significant flooding in the coastal city of Vlora, submerging streets, businesses, and homes. Residents have been left to cope with severe damage to their properties, and many are calling on authorities for assistance.

Why is this important: The flood has caused extensive damage across several neighborhoods in Vlora. Many residents, particularly in areas like “Pavarësia” and “28 Nëntori,” have lost nearly everything as floodwaters reached their homes, leaving them without basic necessities. Despite their desperate calls for help, many residents claim that no assistance came as the waters began rising. Authorities now face mounting pressure to address the damage and provide aid to those affected.

Context: The floods in Vlora were caused by record rainfall, which meteorologists reported at 184.2 mm over just six hours—far exceeding typical levels. According to experts, this amount of rain would normally be expected over the course of a week in winter, not in a few hours. The city’s infrastructure was overwhelmed, with water running through the streets like rivers, damaging businesses, homes, and vehicles. Many residents describe the event as one of the worst floods they have experienced.

Locals describe the water flooding into their homes from all sides, calling it a “raging river” that destroyed furniture, appliances, and food supplies. Some residents spent the night outside or attempted to clear their homes of water and mud.

Previous incidents: This is not the first time Vlora has been hit by severe floods. Many residents blame local authorities for failing to maintain drainage systems and clean out clogged canals, which exacerbated the damage. According to residents, this is the second major flood in recent years, and despite promises from the government to improve infrastructure, little has changed.

What’s next: Authorities have begun assessing the damage, with teams from civil emergency units and the military deployed to help clear water from flooded areas. The local government is expected to calculate the cost of the damage and begin offering compensation to both residents and businesses. Minister of Defense Pirro Vengu confirmed that businesses affected by the flood would be included in compensation plans, though residents remain skeptical after previous incidents where promises of aid went unfulfilled.

As Vlora begins to recover from one of its worst floods, the city’s residents are left counting the cost. With streets still submerged in some areas and the damage extensive, there are growing calls for the government to address the underlying issues that made the city so vulnerable to flooding.