Bulgarian ports of Varna, Bourgas closed over strong winds
Bulgaria’s two major ports on the Black Sea, in Varna and Bourgas, were closed on March 25 because of strong winds, Bulgarian news agency Focus reported. Wind speed in Varna reached as high as 13.5m/s, the report said.
The weather forecast for Bulgaria on March 25 included strong gusts of wind over eastern Bulgaria. Strong winds and clouds were also forecast for the near-shore areas of the Black Sea.
Southwestern Bulgaria is expected to see rain later in the day, turning to snow in the northwest of the country. The wind strength is expected to intensify later in the day, with occasional gusts forecast to reach storm strength.
Earlier in March, strong winds caused extensive damage in central Bulgaria, with the municipalities of Gabrovo, Tryavna and Dryanovo declaring a state of emergency that lasted several days. In Gabrovo alone, the damages caused by strong winds were estimated at three million leva, mayor Tanya Hristova said at the time.
Tens of thousands of people were left without power. The gusts of wind, reaching hurricane strength for short periods of time, also caused the death of a 20-year-old woman in Gabrovo, who was hit by scaffolding swept by the wind.
(Photo: Michael Hornak)
