Heat wave prompts Code Orange weather warning in northwestern Bulgaria
A code “orange” weather warning has been issued for four districts in northwestern Bulgaria on July 29 because of the heat wave, the country’s meteorology institute has said.
The areas affected are Vidin, Montana, Vratsa and Pleven districts; code “orange” warnings are issued when weather conditions pose risk to health and property. Temperature highs in those districts were expected to reach 38C-40C, Bulgarian National Television reported.
The lesser code “yellow” weather warning due to heat was issued for the rest of the country.
The heat wave meant that restrictions preventing heavy trucks from travelling on Bulgarian roads during the afternoon hours, as is the usual practice during hot weather alerts, would be enforced, the Road Infrastructure Agency said on July 29.
Such restrictions apply to all trucks with a weight of more than 7.5 tons, but not freezer trucks or those carrying livestock. The goal is to prevent damage to the Bulgarian roads, the agency said.
The restrictions would be enforced any time air temperatures rise above 35C and would be in effect between 1pm and 9pm.
In Sofia, the city hall planned to distribute water to people on the streets of the Bulgarian capital city. Authorities urged people to exercise caution, avoid going out in the hottest hours of the day (children and people suffering from heart conditions should be especially careful), not exercise excessively and to drink ample amounts of non-alcoholic fluids, especially water.
The long-term weather forecast for the month of August, issued by the meteorology institute, was to expect more heat waves, occasionally interrupted by rain (forecast quantities are below the average amounts), this year.
Meteorologist Krassimir Stoev, quoted by news agency Focus, said that some rain could be expected at the beginning of the month (this upcoming weekend), which would bring a brief respite, but more scorching heat was to be expected next week.
(Photo: Nate Brelsford/sxc.hu)
