After the floods in the Drenas Municipality, some residents continue to face difficulties, calling for urgent action from municipal authorities. One of them is Fadil Saliuki from the village of Lower Zabel, who said that the bridge connecting his home to the rest of the village was damaged by water and has still not been repaired. Meanwhile, the Drenas Municipality says teams have completed damage assessments and are preparing the final report.
Fadil Saliuki told Ekonomia Online that the municipality has not yet intervened to repair the bridge taken by the water.
“I called the municipality, informed them, but nothing happened. I submitted a request, they took a photo, and that’s it. There has been absolutely no response so far,” he said.
Saliuki also described the difficulties he and his family face using the temporary bridge.
“Yes, honestly, it’s even dangerous. I almost fell into the water and broke my nose. Children fell two or three times. With children, women, and the sick, it’s very risky. We really need this bridge; without it, we cannot go in or out,” he emphasized.
He made a direct appeal to the mayor of Drenas.
“I called the mayor directly. We don’t want anything else, just a bridge for safe passage for children, women, and men. We have serious problems,” Saliuki said.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public and Emergency Services in Drenas, Nexhmedin Gruda, told Ekonomia Online that working groups have conducted damage assessments.
“We are in the fourth week after the floods. The working groups have assessed damage to family properties, agriculture, businesses, and infrastructure. So far, we have received 249 compensation requests. Once the final report is approved, it will go to the municipal assembly and then to the central commission in Prishtina, which is responsible for payment, since the municipality does not have an emergency fund. The report should be ready next week,” Gruda explained.
The director emphasized that several bridges have already been rehabilitated.
“Our teams have rehabilitated four bridges and several roads in six villages, ensuring better water flow in case of future floods. We have also been monitoring affected families and coordinating with donors to provide food, hygiene packages, water, and materials for repairing homes damaged by water and mold,” he said.
Regarding the damages, Gruda said the majority affect family properties, but infrastructure has also been significantly impacted.
“The most damage is to family properties, but infrastructure has also suffered greatly. For example, the bridge to Shtrubullovë village is currently out of function, but we have instructed citizens to use alternative routes while the Directorate works to restore it as quickly as possible,” he added.
On January 6, heavy rainfall caused material and economic damage in the Drenas municipality.
