site.btaBalkans in Grips of Extreme Weather

Severe weather conditions swept across large parts of the Balkans this week, as powerful winds, heavy rain, flooding and intense snowfall caused widespread disruption to transport, power supplies and everyday life across the region.

In western Turkey, a strong storm bringing hurricane-force winds and torrential rain triggered local flooding and forced the suspension of maritime traffic through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. In Istanbul, wind speeds exceeded 70 km/h in some areas, leading to the cancellation of ferry services. Falling trees caused property damage and injured at least one pedestrian.

Albania was hit by heavy downpours that flooded hundreds of homes and prompted evacuations in several districts. Rivers rose to critical levels, and authorities confirmed finding a man’s body believed to have been swept away by floodwaters. The hardest-hit cities include Shkodra, Lezhe, Durres, Fier, Berat and Gjirokaster. In Durres alone, more than 800 households were flooded and hundreds of residents evacuated. Rainfall was expected to gradually ease, with snow forecast in some areas. Tirana International Airport warned of possible flight delays and cancellations, urging passengers to check updates with their airlines.

In Romania, snowfall and freezing temperatures left more than 11,000 households without electricity across several counties. Emergency services carried out thousands of interventions, mainly in snowbound and hard-to-reach areas. Many schools switched to online learning or suspended classes altogether. A sharp cold snap was forecast, with temperatures expected to fall as low as minus 15  C. Rail services were also affected, with significant train delays reported.

In Greece, strong winds brought ferry traffic to a standstill, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at ports. Rough seas, reaching force 8 to 9 on the Beaufort scale, disrupted maritime links from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio to most islands. Authorities urged travelers to stay informed, warning that restrictions would remain in place until conditions improve.

Serbia marked the second day of Christmas with snow-covered and icy roads, disruptions to public transport and emergency measures in parts of the country. Conditions remain particularly difficult in Belgrade and mountainous regions. In the capital, traffic was severely affected, trolleybus services were suspended and some bus routes rerouted. Twenty people were evacuated from at-risk areas nationwide. Officials said the situation was under control, but warned of further overnight freezes, with temperatures expected to drop to minus 14 C.

In Slovenia, authorities issued an orange weather alert for extreme cold, with temperatures expected to plunge to minus 20 C. Road conditions remained hazardous following earlier snowfall and subsequent freezing, while health officials warned of increased risks for vulnerable groups.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, conditions were relatively calm, though authorities cautioned that risks remain. While snowfall in Sarajevo has stopped, accumulated snow and freezing temperatures continue to cause difficulties, particularly in hilly and hard-to-reach areas. Main roads and public transport are operating largely normally, but snow clearance on secondary streets has lagged due to shortages of equipment and personnel. Local authorities urged residents to remain vigilant, noting that melting snow could bring additional hazards.

In Montenegro, heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers continued to disrupt traffic and cause flooding in several municipalities, although the situation is gradually stabilizing in many areas. Some major roads remain closed due to landslides and high water levels. Evacuations have taken place in certain locations, while the army and emergency services work to build temporary infrastructure and improve drainage.

In North Macedonia, torrential rain led to river overflows, flooding and landslides. Residents were evacuated in Kicevo, while flooding was reported in areas around the Vardar River, Ohrid, Resen and Gostivar. Landslides hampered traffic on several roads, with emergency teams deployed and authorities urging caution. The most critical situation remains in the Vardar River basin and its tributaries.

In northern Kosovo, flooding in the city of Mitrovica forced the evacuation of 15 families from a single neighborhood, according to the newspaper Koha Ditore. Fire brigade commander Burim Ibishi said nearly the entire area was inundated, with emergency teams working on evacuations and damage control.

Meteorological services across the Balkans have urged the public to remain alert and follow official guidance, warning that unstable weather is expected to persist in the coming days.