60,000 BGN allocated for the flood victims in Vidin region

The partial state of emergency declared by Vidin municipality (Northwestern Bulgaria) remains in force. The local government approved 60,000 BGN to help those affected by the floodings caused by the torrential rains. In the town of Dunavtsi, where the overflowing Voynishka river flooded the yards and ground floors of dozens of houses, more than half of the properties have now been drained.

Teams of the Fire Safety and Public Protection Service are working around the clock and pumping water out of the yards. People are now seeing what the damage is.

Officials are assessing the damage so victims can get help from the state, but people say it won't cover their losses.

In addition to local people, volunteers from the Red Cross came to help in Dunavtsi.

"We also expect the national leadership of the Bulgarian Red Cross to send hygiene packages in the coming days, which will be distributed to people's homes and I guess disinfectants," said Tsvetelina Petrova, director of the Bulgarian Red Cross-Vidin.

Residents from Dunavtsi say the disaster could have been avoided.

"I have submitted a written report. “Irrigation Systems” is responsible for the river and the dikes. The answer was that we are waiting for funding and we start immediately. But there is no funding, and there is no state," Dimo Skorchev said.

In the municipality of Dimovo, where a state of emergency was also declared, the water from the people's properties has been pumped out, but they will need help from the state to rebuild the infrastructure.