site.btaUPDATED State of Emergency Declared across Gabrovo Region Due to Heavy Rainfall

A state of emergency has been declared across Gabrovo Region by an order of the regional governor due to heavy, sustained rainfall, rising river and stream levels, and flooding across all four municipalities in the region, the regional administration said on Saturday. The decision followed an emergency meeting of the regional headquarters for the implementation of the disaster protection plan, convened by Regional Governor Kristina Sidorova.

Gabrovo Region consists of Gabrovo Municipality, Dryanovo Municipality, Sevlievo Municipality, and Tryavna Municipality.

Evacuations have begun in the northern part of Sevlievo, where water levels have in some areas reached up to 1.20 metres. 

Heavy rainfall has also led to power outages in parts of Gabrovo, the village of Yantra in Dryanovo Municipality, and the Krushevski Bair area in Sevlievo.

Due to turbidity, river water intakes have been shut off. Sevlievo and 16 settlements in the municipality have been left without water supply, and the water treatment plant in the village of Damyanovo has been flooded.
 
Several neighbourhoods in Gabrovo have also been left without water. There are no disruptions to water supply in the municipalities of Dryanovo Municipality and Tryavna Municipality.

Late Friday evening, a state of emergency was declared for part of the territory of Gabrovo Municipality, effective from midnight on May 23 and remaining in force for as long as necessary. The measure applied to areas along riverbeds, their tributaries, streams, and adjacent zones. The BG-ALERT emergency warning system was also activated, the municipality said.

Water levels in the Yantra River have risen to a critical point. Both the Yantra and Zhalteshka rivers burst their banks in Gabrovo. 

Emergency teams have been working on the ground, clearing debris, fallen trees, and rocks from the road network, as well as cleaning culverts and ravines in critical areas. 

Significant damage has been reported to road and critical infrastructure at dozens of locations across the municipality, with numerous alerts continuing to come in regarding infrastructure problems.