Bulgarian Floods: Tragedy on the Southern Coast and Regional Impact

The recent severe weather events along Bulgaria’s southern coast have led to devastating consequences for local populations and infrastructure alike.
Heavy flooding resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including two emergency responders who risked their lives in rescue operations.
Over one hundred residents were evacuated from the hardest-hit areas, including towns and villages submerged by water.
The Bulgarian government has declared a state of emergency in the regions of Burgas, Montana, and Pernik, recognizing the gravity of the disaster.
Weather conditions worsened sharply: snow fell in the western parts of the country, while intense rains continued in the east, leading to transportation restrictions and the closure of several mountain passes.
More than 80 settlements faced power outages, with emergency teams actively restoring critical infrastructure.
Interior Minister Daniel Mitov established an operational headquarters and activated a flood response plan.
This situation raises concerns, especially considering earlier in the season, an unusual winter-like snowfall of half a meter occurred amid temperatures as low as -5°C in the Carpathians.
Additionally, in Bulgaria’s resort area Elenite, flooding caused a man’s death, with several others being evacuated from dangerous zones.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, authorities have issued a first-level storm warning for the Black and Azov Seas, based on data from the Odessa City Council and the Hydrometeorological Center.
Expecting heavy rainfall through the day, the region faces risks of stranded mines and uncontrolled detonations of unexploded ordnance due to storm conditions.
Several streets and lanes in Odessa have already flooded, though most traffic remains operational.
Utility crews are working on clearing drainage systems and mitigating damage caused by the storm.
Notably, on September 30, Odessa experienced nearly two months’ worth of rainfall in just seven hours, leading to widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and ten fatalities, including a child.