site.btaSituation Returns to Normal, Authorities Ready to Respond to Severe Weather

January 12 (BTA) - The situation in the country caused by the severe weather is getting back to normal and is being monitored constantly, the levels of dams are monitored and water is released if necessary. All competent authorities are cooperating and are prepared to respond, including to alerts by the members of the public. This transpired at a working meeting on Tuesday called by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in relation to harsh weather conditions in some parts of the country, the government information service said.

During the meeting Environment Minister Emil Dimitrov said that all measures are taken to monitor the level of dams. Dimitrov said that neighbouring Greece and Turkey have been warned in order to take preventive measures.

The country's electricity transmission system is under control and where there were outages, power supply has been restored, said Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova. She said that emergency teams have been reinforced and prepared to respond to calls.

Economy Minister Lachezar Borisov said that currently no dams pose a risk to people.

Interior Minister Hristo Terziyski briefed the Prime Minister that in the past 24 hours the situation was the worst in Smolyan Region, where a house collapsed because of a landslide. The police and the fire service evacuated two adults and two children. No casualties were reported.

Later on Tuesday the press secretariat of President Rumen Radev said that he had a phone call on the night to January 12 with the Director of the Directorate General for Fire Safety and Civil Protection, Nikolai Nikolov, in connection with the situation in the country after floodings in several locations. Nikolov said that all necessary measures have been undertaken and that at the moment no threats exist for people's health and lives.

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The Social Assistance Agency started receiving requests for 375 leva in one-off financial aid to households affected by heavy rain and flooding. Employees of local-level social assistance directorates will join the damage evaluation commissions formed by municipal authorities. Eligible aid beneficiaries must be owners of legally built "only" dwellings or persons legally entitled to occupy such dwellings. PP/ZH/VE
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