site.btaPM Zhelyazkov Assigns Inspections of Dams, River Beds as Prevention against Floods, Landslides

"Now is the time to get organized when it comes to the natural processes of spring snowmelt. I want the competent ministries to approach very seriously in terms of prevention the potential risks related to floods, landslides, which inevitably happen every spring," Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said at the beginning of Wednesday's Cabinet meeting.

"I task with full coordination the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, in contact with the regional governors and mayors of municipalities," Zhelyazkov said.

Zhelyazkov ordered an inspection of the status of regional and municipal emergency taskforces, riverbeds, dam levels, the state of irrigation systems and ravines.

Regarding the inter-departmental commission for reconstruction and assistance under the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister pointed out that it was necessary to ease the administrative regimes as much as possible when the need for assistance arises.

"Review what is going on with illegal logging because most of the reports are related to deforestation due to illegal logging. Prevention is very important," the Prime Minister told the ministers. Zhelyazkov pointed out that the money for prevention is less than the money spent on prevention is less than those spent on restoring paying for damages in case of a disaster.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov asked for information on the assigned inspections to be collected within a week and pointed out that the Council of Ministers will have a contact point that will work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.