Ministry of Interior advises people not to travel over the weekend due to expected bad weather

Due to the expected severe weather over the weekend, the Ministry of Interior is advising the public not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

On the instructions of the Secretary General, Zhivko Kotsev, all regional directorates of the Ministry of the Interior in the country have established the necessary organisation and have contacted the local structures of the Road Infrastructure Agency in order to have snow-clearing equipment ready for work on road sections, which are at risk of snow drifts and icing.

The Ministry of Interior advises:

• Cancel your journey unless it is absolutely essential.
• If you are travelling, fill your vehicle with sufficient fuel and prepare it for driving in winter conditions. Choose only main roads, even if the route is longer. Have warm clothes and charge your mobile phone. Drive carefully.
• In strong winds, do not stay outdoors.
• Use caution when passing by buildings, power lines and trees.

Pay particular attention to bridges and viaducts regarding icing and timely sanding. Measures are in place to prevent unprepared vehicles from entering mountain passes. The intervention of heavy equipment to retrieve vehicles in distress will also be organised.

The National Operational Centre of the General Directorate of Fire Safety and Population Protection reminds that according to the information received about the weather situation in the country, for 25 November (Saturday), code orange weather alert has been isssued for most of the country, and code red for the districts of Montana, Vratsa, Lovech, Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Rousse (Northern Bulgaria).

Heavy rainfall and strong gusts of wind are expected, as well as conditions for snow drifts. Snow cover of up to 20-30 cm is expected in the pre-Balkan mountains region, as well as a significant rise in river levels in the Danube, Black Sea, East and West Baikal basins.

In view of the dynamic weather forecast, the General Directorate of Fire Safety and Population Protection has already sent information to the district governors with a view to taking additional measures under their powers under Article 64 of the Disaster Protection Act. Further instructions have also been given to the regional directorates for fire safety and population protection to enhance preparedness in case of emergencies.