Svoge declares state of emergency as water supply stopped due to dried up river

A state of emergency was declared in the municipality of Svoge(Western Bulgaria, about 40 km away from Sofia) at 21:30 last night, August 15, after a meeting of the Crisis Management Headquartes, the municipality's website reported. This is due to sudden stoppage of the water flow in the Iskretska river, which has lead to the water supply cut off in the villages of Iskrets and Svidnya, Svoge and parts of the village of Tserovo.

The crisis management task-force has also identified several measures to deal with the issue, including the provision of water tanker lorries with drinking water for the settlements, as well as the preparation of a schedule and the identification of locations for the deployment of water tanker lorries. As a matter of urgency, hydrogeological studies will be carried out to construct boreholes in Svoge and the affected villages.

The crisis management task force is also discussing the construction of emergency connections from existing water sources for alternative water supply. The mayors of the affected villages will set up temporary staffs and organise water supply to the population, reporting the situation to the operational officers on duty in the municipality of Svoge. Accesses to the Iskar River will be secured for water supply for the fire fighting system.