VZCZCXYZ0003
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 
 
¶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