Bourgas, south-eastern Bulgaria hard-hit by heavy rain
A partial state of emergency was declared in the Bulgarian Black Sea city of Bourgas on February 1, and emergencies were declared in Smolyan and Devin after heavy rains overnight.
The Bourgas districts of Dolno Ezerovo and Lozovo were inundated. The road to Dolno Ezerovo was closed on the morning of February 1 as streets in the area were underwater.
Ten people were evacuated from Dolno Ezerovo on the night of January 31.
Local media said on February 1 that about 120 houses in Dolno Ezerovo, Lozovo and Sarafovo had been flooded.
There were traffic restrictions on the main road connecting Bourgas and Varna because a section of the road close to the town of Obzor was flooded.
The Aitos Pass was closed to traffic because of flooding. The Road Infrastructure Agency advised motorists to use the alternative route Vishna – Planinitsa – Duskakotna.
An emergency was declared covering the municipalities of Smolyan and Devin as well as the whole region.
Worst-hit in Smolyan was the Ustovo area, where the river overflowed. Reports from the area said that the level of the Cherna River remained very high. Plans were in place for evacuations.
Near the villages of Trigrad and Zmeits, the Trigradska River had burst its banks, reports on February 1 said.
The bad weather also had an impact on Bulgaria’s ski resorts.
The Mountain Rescue Service warned on February 1 of the danger of avalanches in the higher reaches of the Rila Mountains.
The ski area in Pamporovo resort was closed because of bad weather, the Pamporovo company said.
All facilities and ski runs were closed until the end of the day for the security and safety of tourists, the company said. It said that the ski area would re-open on February 2, with normal working hours.
