site.btaPM Glavchev Requests Preparation of Preliminary Action Plan to Deal with Disasters

Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev Monday held a working meeting over a cyclone causing destructive rainfall and flooding in Central and Eastern Europe, the Government press centre said. Glavchev requested the preparation of a preliminary action plan to deal with possible disastrous effects of the cyclone in Bulgaria.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister was informed that there is no immediate danger for Bulgaria to be overtaken by the cyclone, but the situation is being monitored daily.

The meeting focused on regular preventive actions such as clearing riverbeds and drainage channels and restoring levees. It was agreed that regional governors and town and village mayors will be sent letters on available equipment and materials for dealing with disaster situations and their prevention.  

The meeting also discussed the possibilities for funding disaster damage and force majeure management under European solidarity. The Minister of Agriculture and Food, Georgi Tahov, pointed out the European Commission has been approached about such funding, so that for the first time Bulgaria can benefit from the crisis reserve for the agricultural sector.

Attending the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Lyudmila Petkova, Regional Development Minister Violeta Koritarova, Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov, Minister of Environment and Water Petar Dimitrov, Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov, and Minister of Economy and Industry Petko Nikolov.