site.btaHeavy Rainfall Causes Flooding and Disruptions Across Southwest Bulgaria

Southwest Bulgaria was hit by intense rainfall over the past 24 hours, triggering localized flooding, drainage overflows, alerts and emergency responses in several towns, including Sandanski, Petrich, Rupite, Razlog, and Blagoevgrad.

In Sandanski, the municipality processed around ten flooding reports, Mayor Atanas Stoyanov told BTA. Local authorities and fire service teams responded with heavy machinery, including excavators. The most affected areas were the Melnik region and the villages of Slave and Novo Delchevo. Fire crews are clearing mud and debris from main streets as conditions begin to normalize.

The Petrich region was also severely impacted. More than ten reports of flooded basements were filed with the fire service, said chief inspector Stoyan Tilev. According to local meteorological data, 50 liters per square meter of rain fell in the last 24 hours, accompanied by hail and intense thunderstorm activity. In the Podgorie area, rainfall reached 70 liters per square meter.

The village of Rupite experienced some of the worst damage, with over ten flooded basements and yards. Mayor Dimitar Gospodinov said the heaviest impact was along several residential streets, where families attempted but failed to stop the water with makeshift dikes. Five houses sustained significant damage. Insufficient drainage infrastructure contributed to the flooding, he noted, as water accumulates in the lower end of the village and exceeds capacity during heavy rainfall.

In Razlog, municipal teams, fire services, and police worked overnight after the Yazo River overflowed its banks. Three critical points in the town were secured and monitored, and heavy machinery was deployed to redirect water and control the overflow before it reached the urban riverbed. No reports of stranded residents or flooded homes were received. Authorities urged citizens to avoid affected areas and follow official instructions.

Blagoevgrad was also hit by torrential rain on Friday. The Road Infrastructure Agency warned drivers to use caution along road I-1 due to waterlogged pavement and poor visibility.

On Friday evening, strong rainfall returned to Petrich, where the municipal emergency team responded to four additional alerts involving flooded houses and yards.

Chief inspector Stoyan Tilev of the local fire service reported on Saturday that conditions in Petrich have now fully normalized after the overnight downpours. Over the past 24 hours, emergency teams carried out ten responses - mainly to pump out water from basements in industrial and residential buildings. Some streets were temporarily flooded. Most alerts were registered between 20:00 and 22:00, and the situation was stabilized around midnight. In the villages of the municipality, signals were mainly linked to water overflowing onto roadways. Municipal administration teams are currently inspecting all critical points.