Skopje, 8 January 2026 (MIA) — The heavy rains that hit the country last night have caused floods and traffic problems, especially on the roads between Tetovo and Gostivar, Ohrid and Kichevo as well as Bitola and Prespa, the Crisis Management Center said in press release earlier Thursday.

The CMC has already sent first responders to the emergency locations, including Ohrid, where basements, garages and backyards have been flooded and the Daljan River has overflowed its bed, flooding many houses.

On Kichevo's Prilepska Street, several residential buildings were flooded overnight. First responders evacuated around 100 people, who have since taken shelter in the Hristo Uzunov Elementary gymnasium.

The evacuees have been provided with food, water and basic supplies, with the Red Cross, the Protection and Rescue Directorate, the regional Crisis Management Center and the local firefighting department all responding to the emergency together with the local water utility and the Municipality of Kichevo.

The Zajashka River and the Treska River have also overflooded, flooding agricultural land in the nearby villages, the CMC said.

In the Bitola and Prespa region, the rain has caused river water levels to rise, flooding many houses as well.

According to the national weather service, some river water levels have doubled or tripled since yesterday.

The water level of the Crna Reka as measured near Novaci was 270 cm Thursday morning, compared to 78 cm Wednesday.

The Vardar near Veles was 140 cm compared to 90 cm Wednesday; the Treska near Makedonski Brod was 205 cm compared to 100 cm Wednesday; the Sateska near Botun was 131 cm compared to 61 cm Wednesday.

The Bregalnica River water level almost tripled, as well, with its level of 12 cm as measured Wednesday near Berovo rising to 30 cm Thursday. mr/