Albania Says Rain Hampering Flood Response Effort

tAlbanian authorities say continuous rainfall is hampering efforts to address severe flooding that has left hundreds of homes swamped and without electricity or drinking water for the past three weeks.

Up to 8,000 acres of land in the northwestern Shkoder area have been submerged in up to three feet of water following weeks of heavy rain.

Interior Ministry spokesman Leonard Olli said Monday that the situation is of concern, but it is not yet serious enough to declare a state of emergency.

The Albanian army has been ferrying food and drinking water to residents in the flooded areas, most of whom have refused to leave their homes.

Power authorities are discharging water from reservoirs that supply major power stations in the area, where water levels have reached a critical point.