The hydrographic system in Kosovo* is divided into four river basins: Drini i Bardhë (White Drin), Ibër (including Sitnica), Morava e Binçës and Lepenc.
Approximately 491 km of rivers in the country have been at risk of flooding. The risk of floods and related economic damage has been exacerbated by anthropogenic factors, including insufficient maintenance of drainage canals and flood plains, poor condition of embankments, illegal waste dumping, unauthorised gravel extraction, damaged flood protection infrastructure (embankments, dams, walls, etc.) The existing infrastructure has been significantly damaged, in urgent need of intervention with rehabilitation measures in many areas and new construction.
This WBIF technical assistance grant has supported the preliminary flood risk assessment aiming to identify areas where the risks associated with flooding are significant. Technical assistance activities also included the creation of the database for proper storage and management of collected data and capacity building needed to facilitate the implementation of subsequent steps for sound flood management.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence
