site.btaEnvironment Minister Dimitrov Tells Parliament Hydroclimatic Conditions are Main Factor for Water Crisis

A major factor in the reduced water resources is the hydroclimatic conditions, caretaker Minister of Environment and Water Petar Dimitrov told the MPs on Wednesday during a hearing in the National Assembly about the water crisis in the country. Prolonged drought, high temperatures, lack of precipitation, snow cover, mild winter, lack of spring high water are a complex combination of factors that affect and lead to a reduction in surface water runoff and shallow groundwater aquifers, he explained.

During his hearing, the Minister presented a graph, stating that it clearly shows that the spring high water is missing. Dimitrov also said that the data of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, which performs the monitoring of climatic factors and water quantity, shows that the volume of river runoff in total for the country in June this year is 72% lower compared to June 2023. This is most pronounced in the Danube basin region, where total river runoff is 82% lower than measured in the same month last year, the minister said. For July 2024, the total runoff for the country is 50% lower than July 2023. The most pronounced reduction is in the West Aegean region with 63%. For August, the figures are similar, Dimitrov also reported.

According to the Minister, the scientific community should be immediately engaged to address the problem of climate change resulting in drought. He said the Ministry of Environment and Water is responsible for 52 complex and significant dams. Actions are aimed at a balanced allocation of the available resource and promoting the efficient use of this resource, Dimitrov said.

The request for a hearing on the water crisis in the country was made by the parliamentary group of BSP for Bulgaria.