FLOOD DEATH TOLL RISES IN BULGARIA

Death toll in the city of Dobrich in the North-East of Bulgaria is rising. Two people from the region were killed in the floods. The disaster struck on the night of 19th June and the rainfall reached 106 liters per square meter. The level of Dobrich River is constantly increasing. A new surge is expected.

The Mayor of Dobrich, Detelina Nikolova, has announced that the situation remains critical. The crisis management efforts are focused on evacuating people and providing shelter, food and water. The water supply was disconnected. Electricity in several residential suburbs has been cut off.

The Bulgarian Government declared 23rd June as a day of national mourning for the flood victims. Prime Minister Oresharski, who is in the most affected region in Varna, assured that assistance would be provided for the flood affected people as soon as the assessment of the damages was made.

The exact number of victims is not yet clear. According to data of the Ministry of Interior, 10 people were killed in the region of Varna, including 2 children. The bodies were found in the district of Asparuhovo, which was virtually soaked in rain water. Rescue teams and divers are still searching the area for stranded residents.

The torrential rains during the night on 19th June caused severe flooding which swept away two utility poles and the whole area of Asparuhovo in the city of Varna was left and still is without electricity. The water supply was also cut off and the water was declared undrinkable due to contamination. Disinfections and tests will be made before it is declared safe and the supply is restored.

The heavy rain has blown off roofs of houses, many homes have been flooded, some houses are entirely destroyed and roads collapsed. Flood waters swept away cars and some ended on top of each other. The situation in Asparuhovo remains critical although the rain stopped in the morning. The equivalent of a month’s worth of rain fell in the region of Varna over the 24 hours.

Torrential rains caused havoc and other regions in Bulgaria are at risk of flooding. The river ‘Yantra’ in the old capital Veliko Turnovo, in the North of Bulgaria, overflew its banks. ‘Belitsa’ river flooded Kilifarevo in the central Northern Bulgaria, drowned animals and caused collapsing of houses.

7 dams in the region of Shumen in the North of Bulgaria are overtopped and flood water is released though the spillways. The wall of the reservoir pool in the village of Izbul is partially ruined and water flows though there. The drain valve is not working. The residents of the village of Tranitsa have been warned to be ready for evacuation if the rains continue with the same intensity.

There were flooded houses in the villages of Vehtovo and Ivanski. The exterior wall covering of the mental hospital building in Tsarev Brod collapsed. The patients were evacuated. Several villages are without electricity.

Camping places ‘Gradina’ and ‘Smokinya’ on the South Black Sea coast, near Bourgas, were also flooded after the downpours. Electricity supply was cut off. Today, 20^th June, power was restored. The water is subsiding.

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