• The situation in both regions is calming down.
• According to the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) forecast, rainfall will continue overnight into May 24 and will temporarily decrease in the morning

Minister of Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova ordered enhanced monitoring of the situation across the country early this morning in connection with the expected heavy rainfall and rising water levels. The Ministry of Environment and Water is in constant coordination with regional administrations, mayors, the Danube Region Water Management Directorate, regional agencies, and other relevant institutions.

Teams from the Ministry of Environment and Water’s Danube Region Basin Directorate (DRBD) conducted patrols throughout the day and monitored critical sections, riverbeds, and potentially high-risk areas in the Veliko Tarnovo and Gabrovo regions. River and dam levels, as well as the development of weather conditions, are being monitored in real time. At this time, the situation in both regions is gradually stabilizing.

According to information from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH), precipitation is expected throughout most of the night in the Western and Central regions of Northern Bulgaria, the Upper Thracian Plain, and the Southeastern regions. Tomorrow, around and after noon, significant cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds will develop over most of the country, with rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms expected in many places. Local hailstorms are also possible.

In light of the rising water levels, Minister Karamfilova is in constant contact with regional governors and the relevant institutions. Earlier today, the National Electric Company EAD (NEC) - which is responsible for the management and operation of large and significant dams for energy purposes, issued a warning about an impending overflow at the “Alexander Stamboliyski” dam, and subsequently announced that the overflow had begun due to heavy rainfall in the Rositsa River watershed.

Representatives of the BDDR participated in the meeting of the regional crisis management team at 17h.

The Ministry of Environment and Water continues to monitor the situation in the country and will respond promptly, if necessary, in coordination with all relevant institutions.