Mizia

Sofia. The government approved nearly BGN 2.8 million for the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the municipalities of Mizia, Dupnitsa and Teteven to overcome disaster damage in the three municipalities, the government press office said.

State of emergency has been declared in Bulgaria's northwestern municipalities of Mizia and Hayredin, both in the region of Vratsa, due to overflowing dams.

The dams "Rogozen-1" and "Barzina" are overflowing due to the abundant rainfall in the past days, daily Dnevnik informs.

Three Southeastearn European states are among the six countries in the world most affected by extreme weather events last year, according to environmental group Germanwatch's Global Climate Risk Index (CRI).

The index [PDF] analyses the impacts of extreme weather events both in terms of fatalities and of losses incurred by the economy.

Bulgaria should work harder on preventive measures to avoid natural disasters, EU Commission Vice President Kristalina Georgieva has said.

In a statement issued for the anniversary of floods which last year hit the northwestern town of Mizia on August 2, Georgieva has warned that climate changes will bring about more and more disasters.

The European Commission granted on Thursday EUR 1.98 M to Bulgaria for addressing the consequences of the 2014 floods.

The funds, which were allocated from the EU Solidarity Fund, aim to partially cover the emergency costs of recovery operations after the floods, the press service of the Commission informs.

Bulgaria's Ministry of Regional Development estimated that BGN 870 M will be needed for reinforcing areas prone to landslides.

This was announced by Regional Minister Lilyana Pavlova at a sitting of the parliamentary Regional Committee on Thursday, daily Dnevnik reports.

Westinghouse Electric Company said on Monday it is donating BGN 17,000 (EUR 8,500) for the reconstruction of a kindergarten in the Bulgarian town of Mizia hit by flash floods last summer.

Bulgaria's new government will face serious challenges, comments AFP in an article entitled "Winter of discontent looms over Bulgarian election".

The report starts in the flood-stricken town of Mizia, describing the dire situation and desperation of its residents and the scope of devastation.

Bulgaria will receive EU aid, covering 6% of the value of flood damages, said caretaker PM for EU funds management Iliana Tsanova for the Darik national radio. 

According to her, the application form does not include the damages in the town of Mizia, which was flooded in August, as well as the cost of the most recent flood damages in Berkovitsa and south eastern Bulgaria. 

Preliminary estimates on repairs in the Bulgarian town of Mizia, which was hit by flash floods in August, have been made public.

The calculations are based on the damages of infrastructure, dwellings and public buildings alone, with the cost of food products for the most severely affected residents yet to come,