site.btaRiverbed Maintenance, Water Flow Capacity Are Key Priorities, Environment Minister Karamfilova Says

Cleaning riverbeds and improving river flow capacity are among the government's key priorities and are being discussed at the highest level with the Council of Ministers, local authorities and regional governors, Environment and Water Minister Rositsa Karamfilova – Blagova told journalists on Thursday.

Karamfilova said she had dispatched teams from the Ministry of Environment and Water and the regional basin directorates on Wednesday, with field units providing updates every hour. The teams inspected key reservoirs, including Alexander Stamboliyski Dam and Ticha Dam, to assess the situation on the ground.

According to the Minister, reservoir levels have not been this high in a decade. Authorities are also examining the condition and flow capacity of major riverbeds feeding the country's strategic reservoirs.

Because Alexander Stamboliyski Dam had reached more than 99% of its capacity, officials were forced to open the main spillway on Wednesday to reduce water levels and create additional storage capacity ahead of potential heavy rainfall, Karamfilova explained.

She added that the ministry continuously monitors weather conditions and establishes operational task forces whenever necessary. These teams remain on round-the-clock duty to respond quickly to changing conditions and potential flood risks.