PM Denkov: BGN 30 million are needed for recovery of Tsarevo after the floods, the funds are available

At a hearing in Parliament on September 8, following the floods on the southern Black Sea coast, Prime Minister, Nikolai Denkov, explained that 30 million BGN would be needed for the recovery of the affected areas and the funds were available. He rejected criticism that the state had reacted too late:

"The rain started during the night and in the morning, 11 firefighting teams arrived there, on site, on site, and two teams of divers who started to assist in pulling people out. In addition to the residents, there were about 4,000 tourists. The main efforts were focused on pulling the people out, including children."

Construction of a temporary bridge at Varvara began yesterday. The Bulgarian Army has been on the ground since the first day of the disaster, the Prime Minister added.

"All-terrain vehicles have been used to transport food and water. Representatives of the Agency for Social Assistance have been on the ground since the first day and they have been going round the houses since the second day. Inspections have already been done. There is a possibility to apply up to 2500 BGN".

Electricity and water supply in the area has been restored, and the water treatment plant in Tsarevo is working, Denkov said, but stressed that the water is not drinkable in all places. Drinking water has been delivered with the help of the Bulgarian Red Cross.

The Prime Minister specified that the two dams on the territory of the Tsarevo municipality do not have broken walls, but need repairs as a result of the disaster. There is no water leaking from them.

"Today an inter-ministerial expert committee will be formed - to ascertain the causes. 3 of the 4 casualties are due to the bridge collapse in Tsarevo, experts need to say why it collapsed."

Floods at Bulgaria's Southern Black Sea coast: Within two days, metal bridge will be built on the main road between Tsarevo and Ahtopol

The inter-ministerial committee must say whether deforestation in the area contributed to the disaster.

"On October 13, 2022, a report was submitted to the Council of Ministers - there are 360 river sections with reduced river conductivity. 7 of them are in Tsarevo municipality. In December 2022 and April 2023, the caretaker government allocated funds - 11,000 million for Karlovo and only 10 of the 360 mentioned in the report were funded with only 1 in Tsarevo municipality. This problem requires funding and time. The allocation of responsibility for the maintenance of riverbeds is important. Changes to the legislation may also be necessary."

Floods at Bulgaria's Southern Black Sea coast - casualties, hundreds evacuated and huge damages