The total damages for the road infrastructure after the floods in Bulgaria amount to BGN 22 M after only twenty four hours, said Minister of Regional Development Lilyana Pavlova on Tuesday in an interview for bTV.

Pavlova said that additional help will be sought through the EU Solidarity Fund to the European Commission. It was established in 2002 in order to provide assistance to member states in case of large-scale desasters. However, funding can be obtained through this mechanism if the direct cost of damage is beyond EUR 3 B or 0.6% of the gross national income of the country.

Currently, the situation in Elhovo, located in the Yambol municiplaity, was pointed out as critical, as Tundzha River is only two centimeters away from overflowing. People will be evacuated from the area promptly, Minister Pavlova added.

She pointed out four critical regions at the moment, including the vicinities of Devin, Burgas, Slanchev Bryag and Yambol.

Pavlova explained that apparently there has been a complete climate change, causing the floods, as Kamchiya Reservoir has filled its capacity for merely three hours.

There are no problems with large water reservoirs, as they allow for controlled release of the excessive volumes. The difficulties are said to come from the smaller facilities and are due to the fact that soils are not able to absorb so much water at once.

Meanwhile, the state of emergency in Bulgaria's four most affected regions remains.

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