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What happened, where and when?
During the period of early to mid‑January 2026, North Macedonia was aected by a persistent cyclonic system that generated widespread and intensive precipitation. According to the National Hydrometeorological Service (UHMK), the system produced “more abundant rainfall in the central and eastern parts (over 30 l/m²)”, accompanied by unstable weather conditions and thunderstorms. The combination of high-intensity rainfall, saturated soils, and concurrent snowmelt created conditions conducive to localized ooding in both Kičevo and Ohrid. The prolonged heavy rainfall led to the overow of several rivers, including the Zajashka, Koselska and Dalja rivers, resulting in widespread ooding in the municipalities of Kichevo and Ohrid. The oods caused signicant damage to residential houses, basements, yards, business premises, public spaces and road infrastructure, severely disrupting daily life and local mobility. Entire neighborhoods were inundated, particularly in Ohrid region, as well as multiple locations in the Kichevo region. Damage to roads and access routes further limited movement and access to essential services. The oods disproportionately aected people in vulnerable situations, including low-income households, older people, people with disabilities, families with young children and people living in ood-prone or substandard housing. Many of these households experienced loss of essential household items, damage to living spaces and temporary displacement, increasing their exposure to health risks, insecurity and economic hardship. Small businesses and informal livelihoods were also impacted, further reducing household coping capacity. The current situation remains unstable, with ongoing response operations and continued risk of further rainfall. Emergency services, municipalities and Red Cross branches in Kichevo and Ohrid remain actively engaged in response activities, focusing on evacuation support, water removal, shelter assistance and humanitarian relief to mitigate the immediate humanitarian consequences and prevent further deterioration of living conditions among the aected population.