site.btaFlooded Farmland near Edirne as Maritsa and Tundzha Rivers Rise

Large areas of agricultural land near the Turkish city of Edirne have been flooded due to increased discharge from the Maritsa and Tundzha rivers, which originate in Bulgaria and flow through the city. According to a statement by Turkiye’s State Hydraulic Works regional directorate in Edirne, the Maritsa and Tundzha rivers have overflowed their banks and inundated farmland as a result of heavy rainfall and the controlled release of water from reservoirs in Bulgaria.

The rise in the flow of both rivers earlier in February caused flooding in several locations around Edirne, including near the city’s historic bridges and in the Sarayici area, where the traditional Kirkpinar oil wrestling festival is held. Traffic for both vehicles and pedestrians across the old bridges was temporarily suspended. Although water levels had initially begun to recede, renewed heavy rainfall and continued controlled discharges from Bulgarian reservoirs have again increased the rivers’ flow.

The discharge of the Tundzha River, which is normally about 2 cubic metres per second in the summer, has risen to 212 cubic metres per second. At present, vehicles are once again unable to cross the bridges in Edirne or use some rural roads flooded by the river. A red alert has been issued for flood risk along the Tundzha. Efforts to prevent the river from entering settlements along its banks are continuing.

The water level of the Maritsa River, into which the Tundzha flows, is also critical, and an orange warning code has been issued for it. Flooding along the Maritsa has been reported near the village of Bosnakoy, where there are extensive vineyards.

There is a risk of further overflow near villages south of Edirne, while residential areas in the central part of the city are not currently under threat.