Villagers start to repair homes in flood-hit Albanian region

Local residents in the villages of Novosela commune, an area hit hardest by Albania's recent floods, have started to repair their homes, thanks to improved weather conditions, local media reported on Tuesday.

Water level receded as rain and sunny days began to alternate. Water levels used to go up as high as 1.5 meters in the area, flooding homes and affecting local people's livelihoods, Albanian telegraphic agency reported.

In the village of Fitore in southeastern Albania, the signs of flooding still exist on the ground floor walls of Sulejman Shena's 3-storey building.

"The situation is catastrophic. Look at the wet walls and the furniture which have rotten," Shenaj said.

The 45-year-old man, who grows sapling trees, said the flood has caused at least 2 million ALL (16,260 U.S. dollar) in economic losses in the area, with at least 10,000 olive saplings destroyed.

According to the report, emergency crews continue to work on the field. The units of Rapid Intervention Force and Army are aiding local residents to fix problems.

Government sources said authorities are assessing the damages while working to bring the situation back to normal.

Many families have been evacuated after flash floods caused by heavy rains hit southern Albania this week. Enditem.