Bulgaria issues ‘Code Orange’ dangerous weather warning over heavy rainfall in five regions
Bulgaria has announced a “Code Orange” dangerous weather warning for five regions because of heavy rainfall expected on February 1 2015.
The regions are Smolyan, Haskovo, Yambol, Bourgas and Kurdjali.
The lesser “Code Yellow” potentially hazardous weather warning has been issued for 14 regions: Blagoevgrad, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Gabrovo, Veliko Turnovo, Turgovishte, Rousse, Razgrad, Sliven, Shoumen, Silistra, Dobrich, and Varna.
Bulgaria’s Environment Ministry declared a “Code Red” warning because of an expected sharp surge in the level of the Tundzha River near Yambol and Elhovo.
The ministry declared a “Code Orange” warning for the Maritsa River in Plovdiv, Purvomai, Harmanli and Svilengrad, as well as Sazliyka in Gulubovo.
On the night of January 30, strong winds caused serious damage in various parts of Bulgaria, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in Vurshets, Berkovitsa and Vratsa where many villages had no electricity after power lines were damaged.
The strong winds disrupted mobile phone communications. Cars were damaged by falling trees and roof tiles.
Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev visited Vurshets on January 31 to inspect the damage.
Public broadcaster Bulgarian National Television said on January 31 that more than 9000 people were without electricity after “hurricane winds” in north-western Bulgaria.
In capital city Sofia, there were more 100 calls to municipal authorities because of fallen trees, damaged walls and fences and power cuts. Emergency teams worked through the night.
The parts of the city most affected were Vitosha, Ovcha Kupel, Lyulin and Bankya.
A border checkpoint with Greece, at Makaza-Nymphea, was left without power because of the strong wind.
