Bulgaria declares weather warning over heavy rain in four regions
Bulgaria declared a “code orange” hazardous weather warning for December 9 for four regions of the country – Yambol, Haskovo, Kurdjali and Smolyan – because of expected heavy rainfall.
Rainfall in places was expected to reach 40 litres a sq m, and could complicate an already critical situation in parts of southern Bulgaria hard-hit by rain and floods in recent days.
High rainfall and soaked soil were expected to again cause river levels across the country to rise.
Authorities warned of potential danger near the Tundzha and Kamchiya rivers, where levels were expected to remain critical and flash floods were possible.
Elhovo mayor Petar Kirov told local media that the level of the Tundzha remained high and was expected to increase further over the next two days. Close to 100 families will have to be evacuated if the water reaches critical levels.
Dams and rivers in Blagoevgrad are being monitored around the clock.
The situation in the regions of Yambol and Elhovo was reported to be still critical in the early hours of December 9. The draining of the Zhrebchevo reservoir was continuing at a rate of more than 150 cubic metres a second.
The lesser “code yellow” weather warning is in effect because of snow and frost in Sofia, Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Lovech, Gabrovo, Veliko Turnovo, Turgovishte and Razgrad. Code yellow was declared for Dobrich, Varna and Bourgas because of strong wind.
