Floods, Snow and Rockfalls Trigger Transport Disruptions Across Bulgaria
Ardino Municipality has once again introduced a partial state of emergency, marking the seventh such measure since the start of the year.
The heavy rains in the Vratsa region yesterday caused severe flooding in Hayredin village. Dozens of homes were affected, with around 20 houses submerged in water, BNT reported. The local infrastructure sustained significant damage, with sections of the asphalt road completely washed away. In addition to the damage to homes, over 10 cars were trapped in the floodwaters, prompting the fire brigade to rescue stranded residents. Among those evacuated was a young family with two children from a car.
Local residents describe the disaster on BNT as overwhelming. One said, "It was extremely scary. We've lived here for so long, and we've never seen anything like this before. The water came rushing from the neighboring village with a loud roar." Another added, "The damage is immense, especially in homes and yards, and the floodwaters were terrifying."
In the aftermath, the village's mayor, Todor Todorov, expressed concerns over the scale of the disaster, stating, "The situation is devastating. We can't even begin to clean up without help, and we simply don't have the financial means to do so." Around 100 basements in the village are fully submerged, and authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage.
Flood Damage in Montana and Vratsa Regions
In nearby Montana and Vratsa, the situation remains severe. Villages like Lehchevo and Kobilak saw nearly 110 liters of rain per square meter, flooding numerous homes. In Lehchevo alone, around 70 houses were submerged, forcing evacuations. Kobilak, Hayredin, Valchedrum, and Mokresh also experienced significant flooding, with calls for volunteer assistance to help the affected residents.
Over 100 homes in Hayredin were flooded, with nearly 20 fully submerged, causing widespread damage to the community. In addition to residential areas, agricultural land was also affected. Authorities are working to assess the situation and provide aid to the residents, with many asking for state support to recover.
Recovery Efforts Begin in Montana
In Montana, the situation is improving as authorities work to restore normalcy. The floods caused significant damage, but Regional Governor Kalin Haitov reported that the situation is stabilizing. "There are no more flooded ground floors or basements, and drainage work was completed yesterday," Haitov explained. "The power supply is expected to be restored today, and teams will start damage assessment."
While recovery efforts are underway, victims in Montana have reported extensive losses. One resident said, "Everything is gone – there's nothing left. No TVs, no shoes, no medicine. It's all been destroyed."
During the night, cloud cover will shift toward western regions but will gradually clear, leaving most of the country with mostly clear skies by morning.
On Friday, March 6, Bulgaria will experience varying weather across its regions. In the eastern part of the country, skies will remain mostly cloudy, with light rain possible in some areas during the afternoon
Thursday will see a marked change in Bulgaria’s weather, with mostly cloudy skies and widespread precipitation across many areas in Western and Central regions, according to the NIMH forecast for March 5.
The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) has released the weather forecast for March, indicating that temperatures across Bulgaria will vary between minus 7 and minus 2 degrees at their lowest
Wednesday will bring predominantly sunny conditions across Bulgaria, though patches of morning fog are expected in some plains and low-lying areas before visibility improves.
Atmospheric pressure across the country remains above the seasonal norm and is expected to stay relatively stable in the coming days.
Novinite 2025 in Review: A Year That Tested Bulgaria and the World
A Disgraceful Betrayal: Bulgaria's Shameful Entry into Trump's Board of Peace