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Severe flooding struck Bulgaria’s Vratsa and Montana regions on Monday, leaving hundreds of residents grappling with destroyed homes, submerged vehicles, and damaged infrastructure.
Heavy rains overwhelmed the area, with Hayredin village in Vratsa particularly hard-hit, according to reports from the Bulgarian National Television (BNT).
In Hayredin, around 20 houses were completely submerged, and over 100 homes suffered water damage. Local infrastructure also sustained heavy destruction, with sections of asphalt roads washed away by the powerful currents.
More than 10 vehicles were trapped in the floodwaters, forcing the fire brigade to intervene and rescue stranded residents, including a young family with two children trapped inside a car.
Residents, speaking to BNT, described the disaster as unprecedented. “It was extremely scary. We’ve lived here for so long, and we’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“The water came rushing from the neighboring village with a loud roar,” said one villager. Another added, “The damage is immense, especially in homes and yards. The floodwaters were terrifying.”
Todor Todorov, mayor of Hayredin, painted a grim picture of the aftermath. “The situation is devastating. We can’t even begin to clean up without help, and we simply don’t have the financial means to do so,” Todorov said.
Authorities estimate that around 100 basements remain fully submerged, and assessments of the total damage are ongoing.
The situation is similarly dire across nearby villages in Montana and Vratsa regions. In Lehchevo and Kobilak, nearly 110 liters of rain per square meter fell in a short period, causing widespread flooding.
Lehchevo alone saw about 70 houses submerged, leading to multiple evacuations. Other villages, including Valchedrum and Mokresh, also reported severe flooding, prompting urgent calls for volunteer assistance.
In addition to residential damage, the floods devastated agricultural land, further threatening the livelihoods of the local population. Officials and residents alike are appealing for state support to aid in recovery efforts.
In Montana, recovery operations are underway. Regional Governor Kalin Haitov confirmed on Tuesday that drainage work was completed and that the situation is stabilizing.
“There are no more flooded ground floors or basements, and the power supply is expected to be restored today,” Haitov said. Teams have already begun assessing the damage to homes and public infrastructure.
Despite signs of stabilization, the emotional and financial toll on residents is profound. “Everything is gone – there’s nothing left. No TVs, no shoes, no medicine. It’s all been destroyed,” one flood victim from Montana lamented.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant as more rain is forecast for the coming days. Meanwhile, local and regional officials continue to coordinate efforts to restore normalcy, but acknowledge that full recovery will take time and considerable resources.
As the communities of Vratsa and Montana struggle to recover, solidarity efforts are expected to ramp up, with both volunteers and government support needed to rebuild the lives and homes shattered by the floods.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members