Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SOFIA993
2007-08-14 10:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
EXTENSIVE FLOODING, EIGHT DEAD
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSF #0993 2261008 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 141008Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4138 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0706 RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0440 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 0170 RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 1987
UNCLAS SOFIA 000993
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAID PREL BU
SUBJECT: EXTENSIVE FLOODING, EIGHT DEAD
Ref: Sofia 943
UNCLAS SOFIA 000993
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAID PREL BU
SUBJECT: EXTENSIVE FLOODING, EIGHT DEAD
Ref: Sofia 943
1. SUMMARY: After months of drought and record high temperatures
(reftel),heavy rains and flooding have now hit northeast Bulgaria,
killing at least eight people and damaging houses and
infrastructure. A state of emergency has been declared in the
municipality of Tsar Kaloyan, the worst-hit area, as well as in some
other regions. Central government agencies are coordinating efforts
with local authorities to provide emergency assistance to the most
affected areas. The GOB is concentrating on lowering the risk for
infection now that weather conditions have started to improve and
waters are receding. End summary.
Drought, Heat, and Now Floods
--------------
2. Torrential rain following weeks of heat, drought and wildfires
caused severe flooding in northern Bulgaria August 4-8. The town of
Tsar Kaloyan, 160 miles northeast of Sofia, was worst hit. An
SIPDIS
artificial lake burst its banks, killing at least seven people,
including a mother and her young child, the Bulgarian Civil
Protection Agency reported. A priest found drowned in a village
nearby the Danube town of Ruse (northern Bulgaria) where the river
Russenski Lom overflowed, was the eighth fatality. According to
media reports, 200 houses in Tsar Kaloyan were severely damaged,
with 100 of those being destroyed. The Ministry of State Policy for
Disasters and Accidents (MSPDA) estimates it will take a month to
accurately determine the full damages. Severe flooding as a result
of heavy rainfalls was also reported in Montana (northwest
Bulgaria),the ski resort of Bansko (southwest Bulgaria) and
Pazardzhik (central Bulgaria),where another state of emergency was
declared.
Drowned Animals Threaten Disease
--------------
3. The government is still removing and incinerating the bodies of
an estimated 800 farm animals that drowned in and around Tsar
Kaloyan. As late as a week after the flooding animal remains still
lay on the streets, creating a risk of spreading disease. The
National Veterinary Service warned local inhabitants to refrain from
consuming meat from drowned animals. To limit the spread of
contamination, authorities continue to disinfect private homes and
yards where dead animals are still being found in Tsar Kaloyan.
Government Declares Emergency
--------------
4. On August 7 the central government declared Tsar Kaloyan a
disaster area. As a result, the army, police, and civil protection
units are providing security and equipment for the clean-up. The
MSPDA has 14 crews, assisted by another four from the Ministry of
Defense, working to reestablish safe water supplies. The Council of
Ministers approved emergency funding for construction materials for
rebuilding affected homes and is waiting for municipalities to apply
for such funding. The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the
Bulgarian Red Cross have provided humanitarian aid - food, water,
and clothing. The Social Ministry also provided USD 10,500 worth of
emergency rations to Tsar Kaloyan, along with 275 leva (USD 190) to
each family which lost someone in the floods. In Ivanovo
municipality, Ruse region, another USD 1,700 of hygienic and food
packages were distributed. (Note: The Mission had earlier declared
an emergency and, with Department concurrence, is in the process of
distributing USD 50,000 for forest fighting assistance. Despite the
flood damage, the GOB declined to seek additional USG assistance.)
5. While the direct impact of the fires and flooding is
concentrated in the affected districts, ripple effects -- in higher
prices -- are also being felt. The full impact on the agricultural
economy and consumer prices is still months off.
Licenses for Three Artificial Lakes Revoked
--------------
6. Most of the death and destruction in Tsar Kaloyan was caused
when several nearby artificial lakes burst their banks. Although
the Ministry of Environment and Waters found that the heavy rain was
responsible for the flooding, the leaseholders of the three
artificial lakes near Tsar Kaloyan will be fined and deprived of
their licenses for failing to report the risk of water overflow and
flooding as a result of the heavy rain.
KARAGIANNIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAID PREL BU
SUBJECT: EXTENSIVE FLOODING, EIGHT DEAD
Ref: Sofia 943
1. SUMMARY: After months of drought and record high temperatures
(reftel),heavy rains and flooding have now hit northeast Bulgaria,
killing at least eight people and damaging houses and
infrastructure. A state of emergency has been declared in the
municipality of Tsar Kaloyan, the worst-hit area, as well as in some
other regions. Central government agencies are coordinating efforts
with local authorities to provide emergency assistance to the most
affected areas. The GOB is concentrating on lowering the risk for
infection now that weather conditions have started to improve and
waters are receding. End summary.
Drought, Heat, and Now Floods
--------------
2. Torrential rain following weeks of heat, drought and wildfires
caused severe flooding in northern Bulgaria August 4-8. The town of
Tsar Kaloyan, 160 miles northeast of Sofia, was worst hit. An
SIPDIS
artificial lake burst its banks, killing at least seven people,
including a mother and her young child, the Bulgarian Civil
Protection Agency reported. A priest found drowned in a village
nearby the Danube town of Ruse (northern Bulgaria) where the river
Russenski Lom overflowed, was the eighth fatality. According to
media reports, 200 houses in Tsar Kaloyan were severely damaged,
with 100 of those being destroyed. The Ministry of State Policy for
Disasters and Accidents (MSPDA) estimates it will take a month to
accurately determine the full damages. Severe flooding as a result
of heavy rainfalls was also reported in Montana (northwest
Bulgaria),the ski resort of Bansko (southwest Bulgaria) and
Pazardzhik (central Bulgaria),where another state of emergency was
declared.
Drowned Animals Threaten Disease
--------------
3. The government is still removing and incinerating the bodies of
an estimated 800 farm animals that drowned in and around Tsar
Kaloyan. As late as a week after the flooding animal remains still
lay on the streets, creating a risk of spreading disease. The
National Veterinary Service warned local inhabitants to refrain from
consuming meat from drowned animals. To limit the spread of
contamination, authorities continue to disinfect private homes and
yards where dead animals are still being found in Tsar Kaloyan.
Government Declares Emergency
--------------
4. On August 7 the central government declared Tsar Kaloyan a
disaster area. As a result, the army, police, and civil protection
units are providing security and equipment for the clean-up. The
MSPDA has 14 crews, assisted by another four from the Ministry of
Defense, working to reestablish safe water supplies. The Council of
Ministers approved emergency funding for construction materials for
rebuilding affected homes and is waiting for municipalities to apply
for such funding. The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the
Bulgarian Red Cross have provided humanitarian aid - food, water,
and clothing. The Social Ministry also provided USD 10,500 worth of
emergency rations to Tsar Kaloyan, along with 275 leva (USD 190) to
each family which lost someone in the floods. In Ivanovo
municipality, Ruse region, another USD 1,700 of hygienic and food
packages were distributed. (Note: The Mission had earlier declared
an emergency and, with Department concurrence, is in the process of
distributing USD 50,000 for forest fighting assistance. Despite the
flood damage, the GOB declined to seek additional USG assistance.)
5. While the direct impact of the fires and flooding is
concentrated in the affected districts, ripple effects -- in higher
prices -- are also being felt. The full impact on the agricultural
economy and consumer prices is still months off.
Licenses for Three Artificial Lakes Revoked
--------------
6. Most of the death and destruction in Tsar Kaloyan was caused
when several nearby artificial lakes burst their banks. Although
the Ministry of Environment and Waters found that the heavy rain was
responsible for the flooding, the leaseholders of the three
artificial lakes near Tsar Kaloyan will be fined and deprived of
their licenses for failing to report the risk of water overflow and
flooding as a result of the heavy rain.
KARAGIANNIS