Severe Storms with Hail Causes Extensive Damage in Sliven and Surrounding Areas

Sliven, Bulgaria – A severe storm accompanied by hail struck Sliven and its surrounding regions last evening, leaving a trail of significant damage in its wake.

According to the Regional Directorate for Combating Hailstorms, the hardest-hit areas included the “Rechitsa” quarter, Mechkarevo village, and parts of the western municipality.

Hailstones, ranging in size from hazelnuts to walnuts, impacted residential areas and agricultural lands alike, causing widespread devastation.

Power outages were reported in the eastern part of Sliven’s villa area. Repair crews from “Electrorazpradelenie Yug” (Power Distribution South) have been mobilized to address the disruptions.

Additionally, a fallen tree obstructed the road between Chintulovo and Malko Chochoveni villages, adding to the chaos.

Municipal teams remain on standby, maintaining communication with local officials to coordinate response efforts and assess further damage.

The storm wrought havoc on agricultural areas, with peach crops in several villages in Sliven particularly affected.

Entire productions of corn and other crops in Mechkarevo village were completely devastated, while peach plantations in Gavrailovo village also suffered extensive damage.

Farmers, many of whom lack insurance due to distrust of insurance companies, expressed frustration over the perceived inadequacy of anti-hail measures.

“We have lost an entire season’s worth of crops,” lamented one farmer, reflecting the widespread sentiment of despair among the agricultural community.

Meanwhile, the aftermath in the Lovech region painted a grim picture of partial disaster. Roofs were blown off houses, trees were toppled, and power outages compounded the situation.

Torrential rains combined with hail caused flooding in streets, basements, and homes, with the Lovech center particularly affected by the inundation.

Local authorities reported a rainfall of 25 liters per square meter in just 20 minutes, exacerbating the extent of the damage.

In Veliko Tarnovo, the mayor convened a crisis headquarters in response to unprecedented hail damage sustained overnight.

The storm left Arbanasi without electricity for three hours and inflicted substantial damage on over 100 vehicles in Sheremetya.

Schools were not spared, with one suffering partial roof damage, necessitating closure for the day while assessments continue.

Authorities in Veliko Tarnovo are grappling with the aftermath of the hailstorm, which saw hailstones as large as walnuts pummel the area within a short span.

More than 30 trees were uprooted, compounding the widespread destruction of property and crops. Efforts are underway to repair the extensive material damage, particularly in local car dealerships where numerous vehicles were rendered inoperable overnight.

“We are focused on repairing the damage as swiftly as possible. Many vehicles, especially in dealerships, sustained significant damage,” commented Ivaylo Zdravkov, district governor of Tarnovo.

The impact on infrastructure was severe, with a school reporting structural damage to its roof, prompting cautionary measures to prevent access to the affected building until further inspections are completed.

The response to this severe weather event underscores the vulnerability of both urban and rural communities to natural disasters.

Local authorities continue to work tirelessly to restore normalcy, but the path to recovery appears long and arduous.

For many affected residents and farmers, the storm’s aftermath is a stark reminder of the pressing need for improved disaster preparedness and robust insurance mechanisms to mitigate future risks.