Thunderstorms, rain prompt ‘code orange’ weather alert in Bulgaria
A code “orange” weather warning has been issued for six districts in northern and western Bulgaria on July 22 because of the forecast for heavy rain and thunderstorms, with a strong chance for hail, the country’s meteorology institute said on July 21.
The areas affected are Vratsa, Pleven, Lovech, Gabrovo, Sofia and Pazardjik districts; code “orange” warnings are issued when weather conditions pose risk to health and property.
Another 19 districts were issued the lesser code “yellow” weather warning – Vidin, Montana, Veliko Turnovo, Rousse, Turgovishte, Razgrad, Shoumen, Bourgas, Yambol, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, Plovdiv, Kurdjali, Smolyan, Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Pernik and the city of Sofia. Code “yellow” signifies potential risk of hazardous weather conditions.
Only the districts of Varna, Dobrich and Silistra in the northeast of the country were issued no weather warnings for July 22.
Heavy rainfall has caused several flash floods in different parts of Bulgaria so far this summer – notably, in the resort town of Primorsko last week and in Varna last month, when 13 people were killed. One other person died in Sofia earlier this month during a violent hailstorm.
(Photo: Stephen Topp/flickr.com)
