Ministry of Environment and Waters

Thunderstorms and prolific rains are expected in the early evening hours of Wednesday evening across Southern Bulgaria.

Meteorologists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences have issued code orange on account of the dangerous weather for the municipalities of Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Smolyan, Kardzhali and Haskovo.

Svetlana Zhekova was born on February 1, 1967.

Meteorologists issued a code yellow warning for possible torrential rains and hailstorms for seven regions in Bulgaria. 

According to the Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, on Thursday in the regions of Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Sofia City, Sofia Region, Pernik and Kyustendil are likely torrential rains, thunder and hailstorms. 

Bulgaria's Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology issued a code yellow warning for heavy rains and thunderstorms for the entire territory of the country.

Local  hailstorms are not excluded either. 

At the same the Ministry of Environment and Waters warns of expected rise of water levels in the major rivers in the country, due to the heavy rains. 

Eighty-seven Bulgarian municipalities are to be fined over infringements related to the Environment Operational Program.

The penalties count reach a total of BGN 180 M (EUR 90 M), after abuse during public procurement procedures was found out by the Ministry of Environment and Waters, Investor.bg has reported.

Bulgaria will spend EUR 1.8 B by 2020 for protecting the European ecological network Natura 2000. 

The sum is set in the National priority framework for Natura 2000, presented by the Ministry of Environment and Waters on Thursday.