The White Drin (Drini i Bardhë) basin and its tributaries in western Kosovo are experiencing severe flooding, with states of emergency declared in multiple municipalities due to life-threatening water levels.
The White Drin (Drini i Bardhë) and Drenica rivers in Western and Central Kosovo are currently experiencing severe flooding with a high-severity “return period” magnitude estimated at once every 50 years in specific segments.
The Drini i Bardhë (White Drin) and its tributaries in Western Kosovo are currently experiencing significant flooding, with a State of Emergency declared in the municipalities of Junik and Malisheva.
The Drini i Bardhë (White Drin) and its tributaries in Western Kosovo are currently experiencing significant flooding, with a “High Risk” alert active for the Dukagjini plain and central regions.
The White Drin and its tributaries in Western Kosovo are currently experiencing severe flooding with high-severity “return period” magnitudes, prompting a State of Emergency in multiple municipalities.
A widespread “High Risk” alert remains active as the Erenik, Bistrica, and Klina rivers have breached their banks. While some central levels show slight stabilization, crest predictions for the lower White Drin basin remain dangerous through the end of the week.
A “High Risk” status remains for the lower White Drin and Drenica basins; while the cessation of rain has led to a slight decline in northern streams, crest predictions for the Sitnica and Morava e Binçës remain critical through the next 24 hours.
River levels reached critical peaks over the last 24 hours, with the Erenik River hitting a dangerous 3.4 meters in Gjakova. While the Hydrometeorological Institute (IHMK) reports a slight stabilization due to falling temperatures, crests remain high in the central and western plains.
A widespread High Risk alert remains active for the lower White Drin basin and the Sitnica River. While heavy rainfall has transitioned to snow in some regions, the Hydrometeorological Institute of Kosovo (IHMK) reports that rivers in the central and eastern plains are still seeing slight rises due to upstream runoff.
Gjakova: Extensive flooding in yards and basements; evacuations of over 20 families ongoing.
Malisheva: State of Emergency declared; many roads blocked by rising river levels.
Junik: State of Emergency in effect following record rainfall of over 230mm.
Drenas: Emergency evacuations conducted via motorboats in inundated neighborhoods.
Fushë Kosova & Obiliq: Significant urban flooding affecting infrastructure and residential property.
Klina & Skenderaj: Severe impacts on local agriculture and rural road networks.
Ura e Fshajte (Fshajt Bridge): The surrounding recreation camps and riverside facilities are currently submerged under the rising White Drin.
Iber-Lepenc Canal: Water supply disruptions reported in Mitrovica due to extreme turbidity levels in the canal.
Dukagjini Plain: The primary agricultural region of Western Kosovo is currently under high-water monitoring.
Information compiled from the Kosovo Hydrometeorological Institute (IHMK), the Emergency Management Agency (AME), and verified on-the-ground visual reports from the Kosovo Security Force (KSF).
This event is currently being categorized by the IHMK as a 1-in-50-year flood magnitude in specific segments of the White Drin and Erenik rivers.
Across the Balkan region, a high-pressure system colliding with moist Mediterranean air has triggered extreme precipitation totals. In Kosovo specifically, the western Dukagjini plain is bearing the brunt of the runoff. Local hydrology experts note that the saturated ground from previous December snowfall has maximized runoff efficiency, causing the White Drin and its tributaries to rise significantly faster than seasonal norms.
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