In a letter to the directors of the water basin management directorates, the Minister of Environment and Water Julian Popov ordered that preventive measures be taken in a timely manner to ensure the conductivity of the river beds in 2026 in order to limit the potential risk with the onset of the spring season and the expected snowmelt, which could lead to an increase in river levels and create prerequisites for flooding.

In fulfilling their functions for implementing preventive control, the directors of the four basin directorates in the country are required to inform in writing the mayors of municipalities and the regional governors on the territory they manage about:

• carrying out inspections of the condition of the river beds, ravines, drainage facilities, bridges and culverts, paying particular attention to areas with reduced conductivity;
• taking action to promptly clean areas where accumulated sediment, shrubby and woody vegetation, waste, fallen trees or other obstacles creating conditions for spills in the event of increased water levels have been identified.

The Minister's order draws attention to the fact that the priorities in the control activities of the basin directorates should be focused on the condition and conductivity of the river beds and the discharge facilities, including in the sections up to 500 m after dam walls.

Taking timely preventive measures and effective coordination between institutions will contribute to limiting the risk of floods and protecting the life and health of the population, infrastructure, and property.

According to the Disaster Protection Act and the provisions of the Water Act, the executive authorities and local self-government bodies are responsible for taking preventive actions to reduce the risk of disasters, including by controlling and maintaining the condition of potentially risky sections of water bodies. It is the duty of the mayors of municipalities and the regional governors to carry out activities to maintain the conductivity of the river beds, including cleaning sediments, vegetation, waste and other obstacles that could impede the normal flow of water.