Floods situation in southern, eastern Bulgaria remains dire
The floods situation in southern and eastern Bulgaria remained dire on December 11, while the Tundzha River reached its highest level in 50 years and flooding also was reported from Edirne in Turkey, close to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria.
Weather forecasters were expected further rains in southern and eastern Bulgaria on the night of December 11, at a rate of 10 litres a square metre.
The level of the Tundzha River near Yambol and Elhovo was reported to have dropped slightly on the morning of December 11.
However, the situation at places along its banks remained critical, with water levels in the past week having flooded basements and ground floors of buildings. The level of manganese in drinking water has tripled, Bulgarian National Television said.
The high rainfall and saturated soil has swelled levels of rivers in most parts of Bulgaria, with rivers having burst their banks and many dams overflowing.
Yambol is subject to water restrictions because of a flooded catchment that caused a pumping station to break down.
An emergency was declared in the Nikolaev municipality on December 10, after the Tundzha River flooded the village of Nova Mahala and inundated 40 houses.
The situation in the municipalities of Gulubovo, Radnevo and Muglizh was still dire. More than 30 000 people had no drinking water supply after the Maritsa River flooded the pumping station for the Dimitrovgrad village of Yabulkovo.
On December 11, BNT said that the heavy rainfall in Bulgaria and the increased levels of the Maritsa and Tundzha had caused flooding in Edirne, with streets underwater and houses and shops flooded in several parts of the city.
Schools in Edirne were closed on December 11 and 12 and there were traffic detours in the city, the report said.
