Gale-force Winds, Thunderstorms Cause Heavy Damages In Bulgaria

State of emergency has been declared in the western Bulgarian Chavdar municipality, part of Sofia region, due to the heavy rains and strong winds, Wednesday night.

Partial state of emergency was issued in two other Bulgarian municipalities, those of Zlatitza and Mirkovo, after the gale-force winds and the hail caused serious damages in the region. The Sofia regional administration has summoned the Regional Disaster Plan Implementation Staff, BGNES reports.

Many parts of the country have been affected by the pouring rains, including the capital, where parts of Bankya, Gorna Banya, and German have been left without electricity.

The Kliment village in southern Bulgaria, Plovdiv region has suffered particularly heavy damages, including destroyed buildings, barns and sheds. Because of the pouring rains the local rivers have flooded the village.

The waters in the Kliment reservoir have almost reached peak levels and there is serious risk of overflowing, the Deputy Mayor of Karlovo Danka Lyurtova told Darik news. The reservoir is being gradually drained in order to avoid further flooding of the local village.

The train station in the northeastern Bulgarian town of Varbitsa has been partially destroyed by a lightning fire, Wednesday night.

Code Yellow has been issued in 17 districts in northern and eastern Bulgaria due to the downpours and thunderstorms. The code is valid for the regions of Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Lovech, Pleven, Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Razgrad, Targovishte, Shumen, Silistra, Dobrich, Varna, Burgas, Yambol and Sliven.

River levels throughout the country are expected to rise as rains will continue to fall on Thursday and Friday.