State of Emergency in Bregovo Still in Effect, No Risk for the Residents

The state of emergency in Bregovo (near the border with Serbia) is still in place on 13th of March because of the risk of flooding. The district administration in Vidin assures that there is no hazard for the residents. There is still a risk of collapse in the Timok River dyke. There are flooded farmlands, yards of houses, rise in groundwater and people remain very worried. A solution is sought to overcome the risk of flooding.

A special hydromodule arrived, with three powerful pumps and a capacity to pump nearly 50,000 litres per minute was brought in the morning at 7 am. It was placed in the area of Bregovo border crossing and the pumps have been working since the morning. The pumps at the other end of the dyke continue to work. Residents hope that these facilities will reduce the water level.

The experts from the fire fighting service and from the Crisis Management Unit in Vidin say that the problem now is groundwater. They do not expect a new water flow from the Timok River or rise in levels after the snowmelting and heavy snowfalls.

The relevant institutions reassure people that they will be evacuated in the event of worsening situation at the end of Bregovo, where the houses are most at risk. Regional Governor Albena Georgieva ensured that there is no problem with drinking water and that it not contaminated and is suitable for drinking.

In the morning, Commissioner Nikolai Nikolov, the head of Bulgaria’s fire fighting department, arrived personally to examine how the dykes were located and to analyse the situation. After the inspection, his opinion was that there was no risk of surprising flow of water. The relevant institutions say that for the time being people can remain calm.