site.btaDamage Assessment Begins in Lovech Region After Heavy Rains, Situation Stabilizing

The situation in Lovech Region is gradually returning to normal after the heavy rainfall, while commissions are beginning to assess the damage in the municipalities of Apriltsi and Troyan, Regional Governor Plamen Hristov told the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) on Monday.

Hristov said that a joint commission from the municipality, together with representatives of the Social Assistance Agency, has begun inspections of the damage in Apriltsi. Affected residents can submit compensation applications on site, after which the level of compensation will be determined depending on the extent of the damage.

He said that more than 15 houses have been affected in Apriltsi. In the village of Cherni Osam in the Troyan municipality, flooded homes have been drained, and damage assessments will begin there on Tuesday.

Teams from Geoprotection – Pleven are expected to inspect a landslide that has formed in the Baba Stana hamlet. Alternative access routes for residents of the hamlet to the village of Oreshak will be considered if the landslide continues to become active, Hristov added.

He also said that a project is being prepared to stabilise the landslide, and funding will be sought from the Interdepartmental Commission for Recovery and Assistance. Financing will also be requested for the reconstruction of two bridges in Apriltsi and one in Debnevo, which were swept away by floodwaters.

Hristov added that there are currently no settlements without electricity or water. Water supply has been restored in the village of Uglen in Lukovit municipality, where the pumping station had been shut down due to high water levels in the Vit River.

No damage to the republican road network has been reported, cleanup of debris and road shoulders has begun. The Regional Governor will issue an order tomorrow for an inspection of all riverbeds in the region.

The volume of the Sopot Reservoir is currently at 91% of its full capacity and is being released in a controlled manner. There is no risk of overflow, Hristov added.