Floods in Kosovo are becoming increasingly frequent, IHMK: January 2026 with record rainfall

According to one IHPC report Only a few rivers, or parts of them such as the Sitnica River, Ibri, the white Drini's lower and middle flow, are said to be lower because of their field character, the cause of the surface, position, configuration of the terrain.

In Kosovo within a five-year period, we have had the high-scale floods in 2021, 2023 and now 5 January 8, 2026. The latter were in size with a period of hydrological returns of 50 years (also the western part or the Drin White basin). As a result of the many rainfalls and then the melting of snow (especially in the cleanest mountain areas), originally in the western part (most middle and bottom flow), central (some parts of the Kosovo and Drenica Rarafs), and then in most parts of the country, Kosovo's major rivers, such as the White Drini (most middle and bottom flow), then Erenic, Mirusha, Topluha, Bistri of Decana, Clina, Crenica, Drenica, etc., starting with their tributaries from the 01/08/20th) and the high levels of water.

The IHMK reveals that from 08/01/2026 to the 10th/01/2026, on average on Kosovo's territory have dropped 41.3mm (l/m2) rainfall, while from the date: 01/10/01/2026, an average of 124.1mm, or 664.9m or 50.6% more than the average amount of January 1961 2024.

Also, the report says that the highest rainfall of 400.4 mm (I/m2), during this period was registered in Unicul, then in Glodjan 331.2mmm, Radoniq 280mmm, Red 256.8mm, Kramovik 245.5mmm, Gjakova 217.3mm, Restelic 201.8mm, Climate 199m, etc.

As noted by the data, the largest amount of rainfall has been recorded in the western part of Kosovo at Drint White Square 1,192.8mmm, with the result of the largest flooding and floods.

Then they were the most pronounced in the Lepenci basin at an average of 104.3mm, at the peak of 116.6mm in Ferizaj.

In the Ibria basin, however, there have been an average of 89 mm, at the peak of 164.8 in Komoran, then in Drenas 154.2, etc. (As noted by data particularly under the Drenica basin, higher amounts of rainfall have been recorded, so floods have been caused, mainly in its medium and lower course.)

An average of 68.7mm [68.7mm] have dropped in the Morava Binca basin, with a peak in Zegocica, where 89.9m is registered.

The report reportedly has operated with a number of 34 hydrometeric stations (GPRS), which are located in all ponds, including major rivers such as: At Drini White Basin 12 stations, Ibri 11, Morava of Binça with 6, Lepenci 3 and the Plava River with 2 hydrometric stations.

“In 7 hydrometric profiles are installed camera systems for photogmeters, which record these parameters: water level (h), current speed (v) and extraction (q). In other accounts, sensors are located/installed, which make water level registration at intervals every 15, 30 and 1h. The data is preserved on their Loger date, which through the GPRS system, is transferred to the IHMK central server in Pristina. That's where conservation, processing, analyzing and then publishing the data after an analysis and control. During January 5th, 2026, the Republic of Kosovo has experienced intense rainfall and snow melting, which has significantly affected the state and behavior of major rivers and caused floods in many areas. The hydrological situation for this period was monitored by the Hydromeorology Institute of Kosovo (IHMK)”.