Commenting on the recent natural disaster in Tsarevo, Environment and Water Minister Julian Popov said that pollution in the flood-stricken area on the Black Sea coast is not severe; it is normal after a storm. “I assume that it will get better in a few days”, he added. The heavy rainfall in the area caused flooding and substantial material damage. There are also casualties reported.
Popov said that the pollution, which has occurred as a result of the flood, is temporary, and its levels are being estimated now. “The competent institutions are monitoring the situation. Reports on social media of discarded objects and discharge of untreated sewage directly into the sea are being examined," he said.
The minister also warned people against entering the sea and drinking tap water in the flood-hit areas.
Asked if excessive timber harvesting and deforestation has been taking place and whether it is what caused the floods, Popov answered: “No, this is not the cause. Yes, there has been deforestation”.
During a meeting of the Parliamentary Environment and Water Committee Thursday, Popov said that the main factor that led to the flooding was the "exceptionally heavy rainfall".
Answering a disaster-related question from GERB-UDF MP Mladen Shishkov, Popov said that the human factor had certainly played a role. The minister added that there is drone footage and there are conjectures, but he would refrain from making hasty conclusions and accusations. "Construction in dry gullies is undeniably a very serious problem," he said.
As to the discharge of wastewater from eateries into the sea, the minister said that several inspections have been carried out and cited one in Varna. Popov praised the response of people and institutions following the disaster.
He underscored that the visit of Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov and ministers to the affected areas was not a PR campaign.
Commenting on the Flood Risk Management Plans, Popov said they are in the final stage of public consultation. "While integrating the results of the consultation, we could fix some of the problems. In light of the recent events, I would like to look into them once more, without delay, so we can see to what extent all historical data have been taken into account," he said.
Popov explained that when it comes to the River Basin Management Plans, things do not look so bright as far as the procedure is concerned. "There is a certain delay by the World Bank. We have been promised that everything will be handed in by December 5," the minister said, adding that he held a meeting with the World Bank team on Thursday.
In mid-2018, the Bulgarian government reached out to the World Bank to request analytical and advisory support for the preparation of the third cycle of the River Basin Management Plans and the second cycle of the Flood Risk Management Plans to comply with the EU Directives.
/YV/
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