Natural disasters

• Floods are one of the greatest natural threats in our country.

• A total of 30% of the disasters, occurred in Bulgaria during the period 1974 – 2010.

• The first are floods and on the second place - the hurricane winds.

The summer in 2005

• Summer floods are the most devastating disaster that happened in Bulgaria.

• The victims are over 13 000 Bulgarian. Affected in different ways are more than 60 000 people.

• 70% of the land is beneath water and over 3000 buildings became untenantable.

2005

During the second major flood western Bulgaria is flooded. According to the Standing Committee to protect the population from disasters, emergencies and accidents those were the most intense rainfalls in the last 50 years.

• The third wave of major floods affected almost the entire country.

• The storm took  the lives of 11 people. It was declared a state of emergency in 23 municipalities.

September 2005

Throughout the country heavy rains and rivers flooded industrial and residential buildings, infrastructure objects and agricultural lands.

2006

• Over almost all Bulgarian land there were torrential rains.

• 15 towns were flooded. In some places it was  declared an emergency situation.

• Heavy rain and strong winds flooded the South coast of Bulgaria. 

• For about 20 hours per square meter have rainfell from 200 to 250 liters and in the town of Malko Tarnovo was reach a record of 300 liters per square meter.

2006

• Danube river overflowed all Bulgarian north coast.

• The level of the river marked a historical record. 

2007 After prolonged drought and abnormal high temperatures during the season in the areas of Vratsa and Montana fell heavy rain accompanied by hail which destroyed agricultural areas.

• Torrents poured almost all Bulgaria. • In Sofia for days  rain downpoured.• On 20th of May  Vladayska river flooded  and Vladaya

– in the district of Sofia was under water. 

2008

From May to September heavy rains in:

Shumen,Pleven,Razgradand Rousse

mixed with hail, blocked the  traffic in the  streets and boulevards.

2010

• In June - torrential rain in the central and southern Bulgaria. 

• Dams and rivers increased

 their levels dramatically.

Drought in Bulgaria

Agricultural drought has perhaps the worst impacts

• Drought is Drought is aa natural phenomenon natural phenomenon which is which is thethe most damaging agriculture most damaging agriculture. .

• As As the the agriculture is an important economic agriculture is an important economic factor in many countries, drought can have a factor in many countries, drought can have a large large number of economic and socio-number of economic and socio-economic consequenceseconomic consequences such as loss of such as loss of income in agriculture and food industry, income in agriculture and food industry, significant higher significant higher water water costs and costs and other other equipmentequipment (e.g. irrigation systems). (e.g. irrigation systems).

Soil drought is a part of the Soil drought is a part of the climactic cycle in Bulgariaclimactic cycle in Bulgaria

• Drought is a natural, recurrent feature of the Drought is a natural, recurrent feature of the climate of Bulgaria. climate of Bulgaria.

• There are two main tendencies: There are two main tendencies: increasingincreasing air temperature and decreasing precipitation air temperature and decreasing precipitation amount. amount.

• As a result during the second half of the As a result during the second half of the twentieth century soil drought hatwentieth century soil drought hass increased increased its frequency and intensity. its frequency and intensity.

• Many soil drought episodes occurred Many soil drought episodes occurred especially during the last decade of the especially during the last decade of the previous centuryprevious century. .

The driest years in Bulgaria during the 20th century were 1945 and 2000.

Other considerable dry years were 1902, 1907, 1932, 1934, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1953, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1992 and 1993.

Drought Features in Bulgaria Drought in Bulgaria is usually a result of long

periods with low precipitation under anticyclonic weather conditions. It can occur in any month of the year.

The weather conditions during drought are characterised by decreasing precipitation, high air temperatures, low humidity and warm, strong winds.

Long-term drought can have negative impact on the water balance of plants, causing unstable cropphysiological conditions and low crop yields, aswell as on threaten natural ecosystems and watersupplies.

SOME DATA ABOUT DISASTERS

DURING 2010

• Droughts – number – 6, damages for 10 000 levas• Floods – number – 651, damages for 531 334 levas• The most flooded regions in Bulgaria in 2010:1. Smolyan – number – 179, damages for 8092 levas2. Sliven – number – 102, damages for 1227 levas3. Burgas – number – 82, damages for 492 945 levas

Last disasters happened in Bulgaria

• Previously fallen heavy snow melting over warmer days during the weekend, combined with fresh precipitation of rain and snow caused massive floods in the southern Bulgarian region of Haskovo on 6Th of February 2012.

• A broken dam wall flooded the village of Biser near the town of Harmanli in Haskovo Region, claiming the lives of 8 people.

• The village of Biser was the worst affected after waters of the nearby Ivanovo dam bust its wall.

In Kardjali region

• Water reservoirs and rivers have been overflowing Kardzhali region in the south, as well as in other parts of the country.

• Newly-inaugurated Bulgarian President, Rosen Plevneliev, has joined other officials in touring the flooded areas and monitoring the rescue effort.

• In despite of very serious situation in the town, there are no registered fatalities. 100 Svilengrad residents were evacuated with the help of divers and heavy equipment.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.This presentation reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Thanks for your attention!