site.btaTorrential Rain Takes One Victim in Western Bulgaria

Sofia, August 1 (BTA) - A shepherd from a village in the vicinity of Vratsa (Northwestern Bulgaria) has perished, dozens of houses are flooded and the roads are impassable after yet another bout of torrential rain in Western Bulgaria. Sofia Region's emergency response team has warned drivers to avoid the road through the Iskur Gorge. The weather forecast says rain will continue on Friday.

A 25-year-old shepherd from the village of Tishevitsa was found dead, the village Mayor Iliya Iliev said. The situation in the region of Vratsa is complicated because of the rain which has not stopped for more than 12 hours. The cause of death is not known at the moment.

An emergency situation in the vicinity of Vratsa has not been declared. However, the situation remains problematic after about 50 l of rain per sq m. The gravest case is that in Beli Izvor village where the Leva river has flooded 100 houses and has carried away livestock, Deputy Regional Governor Borislav Banchev said.

The Ministry of Environment and Water issued a warning about rising river levels in Western and Central Bulgaria, more particularly along the flows of Strouma, Mesta, Maritsa and Arda.