Baku, July 21, AZERTAC
A heavy storm swept through Bulgaria on Monday evening, prompting numerous reports of fallen trees and property damage in Plovdiv, Yambol, Sandanski, Petrich, and Blagoevgrad, among others, according to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
In Plovdiv, the storm prompted reports of flooded streets and toppled trees. The municipality warned that some parts of the city may experience temporarily reduced water pressure after a power outage disrupted water supply infrastructure. All municipal and state authorities worked throughout the night to clear roads and restore normal traffic. Rescue crews evacuated people from five cars trapped by fallen trees, as well as from vehicles stranded in flooded underpasses.
In Sandanski, firefighters extinguished three storm-related fires. The storm also brought down tree branches, caused localized property damage and triggered power outages in several settlements. On Tuesday, the municipality said all localized fires had been contained, fallen trees and branches cleared, and traffic fully restored.
Blagoevgrad also suffered property damage from strong winds. Regional Governor Vasil Trendafilov activated the BG-Alert public warning system amid forecasts of a second storm moving into the area. A lightning strike sparked a large wildfire near the village of Razhdak, Petrich Municipality, which burned across a wide area. Motorists also reported a landslide in the Kresna Gorge, temporarily blocking traffic.
Earlier on Monday, severe thunderstorms accompanied by torrential rain, hurricane-force winds and hail hit Yambol Region, with the municipalities of Tundzha and Straldzha the hardest affected. Five villages lost power for several hours before electricity was restored later that evening, Regional Governor Georgi Chalakov said. No injuries or damage to homes or public buildings were reported, although several vehicles were damaged by falling trees and branches that also brought down power lines.
Authorities in Stara Zagora Region said the situation had returned to normal following Monday night's storm, with no reports of serious incidents or injuries.
Source: azertag.az
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