site.btaReports of Second Victim in Mizia Flood Disproved

Mizia, Northwestern Bulgaria, August 4 (BTA) - Reports of a second victim of the flood in the northwestern town of Mizia over the weekend were disproved by the authorities Monday. The head of the local Directorate of the Interior, Ivan Kirilov, said that only one person, a 60-year-old man, drowned in his home and no people are unaccounted for.

Mizia was flooded by the swelling Skut River on Saturday night. Hundreds of  buildings were inundated and tens of homes were destroyed. Power and water  supply were cut off.   

Rescue teams have already checked all houses and no people were missing.

Police patrolled the streets throughout the night between Sunday and Monday to keep away marauders.

Outgoing Interior Minister Yovchev said Sunday that the torrential rain was the only cause of the flooding, dismissing the suspicions of local people that reservoir water had been released.

Mayor Violin Kroushovenski said Monday that the water mark remains high in the town, at some 1.70 m, but the water is gradually retreating.

The evacuees use two camps, one of which is a kidergarten, and the Red Cross takes care of the supplies of water, food and prime necessities. Power supply has been restored to the camps.

Later on Monday, special troops will start building a pontoon bridge across the Baliyska River.

The authorities have started cataloguing the destroyed houses.
  
The Social Assistance Agency will pay one-off aid of 325 leva each to 843 families in Mizia, said outgoing Labour Minister Hasan Ademov. He said that a total of 493 families in Mizia need help, as well as 150 in nearby Kroushovitsa and 200 in Byala Slatina.