site.btaWinter Conditions Remain Harsh, Most Notably in Northeast

Winter Conditions Remain Harsh, Most Notably  in Northeast

Sofia, January 8 (BTA) - Winter conditions remained harsh across Bulgaria for a third day on Sunday, most notably in the northeast of the country. Military personnel continued to help local people in those parts of the northeast which had been hit worst by abundant snow, strong wind and severe cold. They were acting by order of Chief of Defence, Gen. Konstantin Popov, the Defence Ministry reported. Land, naval and air forces kept on battling against winds of up to 60 km/h, snow drifts up to two metres deep, roads covered with ice, and temperatures ranging between minus 7 and minus 12 C and falling to minus 20 C at night.

Emerging from a meeting of the inter-agency emergency centre, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Liliyana Pavlova said 10 per cent ice flow was reported on the Danube River at Silistra. The road between Varna and Dobrich was reopened to traffic, but later in the day all roads in Dobrich Region were closed again, the Regional Security Council said.

Rescuers assisted a bus carrying 40 Japanese tourists on the night between Saturday and Sunday, Pavlova reported. Despite the severe conditions, the tourist company had decided that the bus might proceed from Shoumen to Razgrad.

Pavlova said the main  goal was to reopen as many roads as possible to cars. She advised the people against travelling in the more critical areas at night.

The northeastern municipality of General Toshevo declared a state of emergency due to intense snowfall, closed roads, low temperatures and an inability to restore electricity and water supply.

Meanwhile, the electricity system across most of Bulgaria was slowly returning back to normal. At 1 p.m. on Sunday, 50 settlements in the northeast were still without electricity, the Energo Pro company said.

Most trains incurred delays, authorities said.

Reacting to accusations by the Bulgarian Socialist Party that the incumbents were using the bad weather as a pre-election weapon, Minister Pavlova said such statements show the weakness of people who try to politicize the difficult situation. She described these attempts as ugly and sad.

Emergency centres are open to homeless persons round the clock. Red Cross officers and volunteers are distributing warm drinks and food and talking with people in distress, Pavlova said.

Sofia City Hall announced an extension to the school holidays in the capital, where classes will be suspended on January 9 and 10.