Parts of Bulgaria Still Under Emergency over Torrential Rains

Torrential rains falling in the last twenty four hours in Bulgaria have triggered major problems in several regions, especially in the western and southwestern parts of the country.

The worst damage was registered in the capital Sofia, the cities of Pernik, Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil and the town of Dupnitsa where downpours reached 45 to 50 liters per square meter, keeping Civil Defense, Traffic Police and firemen working round-the-clock, trying to unclog drainage and rescue cars stuck on flooded streets and roads. .

A dump truck fell in the Struma River after part of the main road E-79 in southwestern Bulgaria collapsed. Rescue teams are still searching for the driver, and are expected to be joined by divers. The road remains closed for traffic. Traffic police say the closure can last for a long period of time, which would seriously hinder travel to neighboring Greece trough the Kulata cross border point.

The town of Kostinbrod, near the capital Sofia is still under emergency situation over flooded houses and yards.

Railway traffic between Sofia and Pernik is not yet restored. The road between the two cities has been reopened, but the situation in western and southwestern Bulgaria remains under a "code orange" alert.

In Sofia several bus lines – 111, 150, 44, 67 – use alternate routes over the flooding.

Cleaning companies have worked overnight the clean the capital and nearby areas, the Sofia City Hall informs.