The Shkumbin River has turned into a very serious problem for the residents of the Baltavere neighborhood in Shushice, Elbasan.

Over the last few years, the river has eroded a lot of agricultural lands and is now endangering at least another 150 hectares as well as several homes and businesses in the area.

The lack of embankments has made the Shkumbin river more and more dangerous for these areas every day.

Over 20 houses, several businesses, and two high-voltage poles are at risk of being swept away by the flooding of the Shkumbin River.

Frightened residents ask for the construction of embankments, as the situation they are reporting is very alarming. Residents are also concerned that a lack of local government investments in this area could lead to a tragedy.

“It has been going on for 4 years, no one cares about this. We have complained, we have requested, they come here, they say we will divert the water, we will do this and that, but in the end, they do nothing at all”, says a resident.

A pig farm in this area is also in danger of being swallowed up by the incoming water.

“The business is over, the business is gone, complain to the government all you want, for others you may have a government, but for us, there is no government! Come on man, come divert the water, you are taking our taxes! Shkumbin is ruining us, it flooded our lands, come on, we’re paying our taxes now it’s your time to help”, says another citizen.

Off camera, the director of Civil Emergencies near the municipality of Elbasan, Ndricim Sinani, assessed the situation as critical and according to him, the project has been submitted by the municipality to the Ministry of Agriculture, and the appropriate funding is expected to enable the intervention that would solve the problem.