Balkans – Rivers Overflow Flooding Parts of Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey

Several rivers in the Balkans have broken their banks over the last few days, causing flooding in parts of northern Greece, southeastern Bulgaria and northwestern Turkey.

Greece

Update: On 30 March Civil Protection in Greece declared a state of emergency for affected areas of Evros Region.

In Greece, the Evros (Meriç / Maritsa) river which forms the border with Turkey, has been at dangerous levels in the Evros Region since 25 March, 2018.

Local media said that officials have called upon the government to declare the region in a state of emergency after the river swelled above danger levels in Didymoteicho, Evros Region.

Reuters reported that emergency services in Greece were searching for a group of migrants who were reported missing near the Evros River.

“State television said authorities believed about 15 people went missing as they tried to cross the swollen and fast-flowing Evros river which divides Greece from Turkey in the far northeast”, Reuters said.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the overflowing Tundzha river has flooded agricultural and forest land in Yambol Province. Local media said the worst hit areas are Trankovo, Kirilovo and Elhovo.

Turkey

Roads and wide areas of farmland have been flooded in the province of Edirne in north western Turkey.

Heavy rain and melting snow in catchment areas in neighbouring Bulgaria as well as Erdine Province dramatically increased levels of the Tundzha, Meriç (Maritsa / Evros) and Arda rivers since 28 March, 2018.

The districts of Meriç and Erdine are among the worst affected. Roads, farmland, and homes close to the rivers have been damaged. Floodwaters have left some vehicles stranded and bridges over both the Tunca and Meriç rivers have been closed.

No injuries, fatalities or evacuations have been reported.

Floods in Erdine Province, Turkey, late March 2018. Photo: Government of Erdine Province
Floods in Erdine Province, Turkey, late March 2018. Photo: Government of Erdine Province
Floods in Erdine Province, Turkey, late March 2018. Photo: Government of Erdine Province
Floods in Erdine Province, Turkey, late March 2018. Photo: Government of Erdine Province

Flood Summary

Last updated: March 30, 2018
Event
Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey, March 2018
Date
March 25, 2018
Type
River flood
Cause
Long-term rainfall, Snow melt

Locations

A - Didymoteicho (Greece)
B - Elhovo (Bulgaria)
C - Kirilovo (Bulgaria)
D - Trankovo (Bulgaria)
E - Meriç (Turkey)
F - Erdine (Turkey)

Magnitude

River discharge
1,368
Meriç river, Erdine Province, Turkey - March 29 to March 29, 2018
River discharge
308 cubic metres per second
Tundzha river, Erdine Province, Turkey - March 29 to March 29, 2018
River level
3.77 metres
Tundzha River, Elhovo Bulgaria - March 28 to March 28, 2018
Critical level is 3.95 metres

Damages

Bridges damaged
2 bridges
Erdine Province, Turkey - March 28 to March 30, 2018
Farmland

Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria - March 25 to March 30, 2018
Wide areas of farmland were reportedly under water in Evros Region in Greece, Erdine Province in Turkey and Yambol Province in Bulgaria.

2 thoughts on “Balkans – Rivers Overflow Flooding Parts of Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey

  1. There has also been flooding in Serbia where the army were mobilised to put sandbags around buildings and dig ditches. Bosnia Herzegovina saw houses flooded.

  2. Two weeks ago I drove through Slovenia (flooding), Croatia (flooding), Serbia (most extensive flooding), Bosnia Herzegovina (serious flooding), Bulgaria (flooding) and Greece where even saw flooded fields on Peloponnese peninsular. Currently going up through Italy and yesterday saw very heavy rain in Rimini.

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