Inspections on the Black Sea Coast After Disaster: Violations and Risks

Following the tragic events in the Elenite holiday village, which claimed the lives of four people, the authorities' attention is focused on preventing future disasters. By order of the Ministry of Environment and Water, large-scale inspections are covering the ravines along the entire Black Sea coast.

The teams of the "Basseyova Direktsiya" - Varna are working hard in three key areas - Varna, Burgas and Dobrich, to establish the condition of the water bodies and identify potential risks. The inspections, which began ten days ago, continue with full force. However, the findings so far are causing serious concern.

The repercussions of the devastating floods in 2014 in the Varna district of "Asparuhovo" do not seem to have been learned. Our reporter's team, touring the coast, witnessed a ruthless picture of negligence and disregard for the rules.

In many cases, we come across construction and domestic waste in the beds of the ravines. This reduces their conductivity. Pipes of unclear dimensions have been laid, and bridge structures have been built that obviously cannot handle high waters," said Eng. Yavor Dimitrov, director of Basseyova Direktsiya "Chernomorski Rayon", in the broadcast "Denyat zapochva".

Our reporter was convinced on the spot of Eng. Dimitrov's words. The accumulation of waste and building materials turns the picturesque streams into a potential threat.

In addition, experts have found silting of water bodies in urbanized areas, as well as the presence of vegetation and fallen trees that impede the drainage of water.

Regarding illegal construction, the director confirmed the worrying trend. "In some of the inspected sites, we have found construction or covering of riverbeds. This is not prohibited by law, but it must be carried out according to certain rules and with ensured conductivity," noted Eng. Dimitrov.

Instructions will be issued to remove the violations and notify the competent authorities.

The inspections also cover well-known resort complexes, including "St. St. Konstantin and Elena" near Varna. There, too, the teams have found problems.

In the complex there are built bridge structures with ensured conductivity, but before its entrance we found laid pipes and even a structure in the riverbed, which is not in its place. We will issue a prescription for its removal," specified the director.

The facilities designed to prevent floods must have guaranteed conductivity. Eng. Dimitrov stressed the critical role of this conductivity during intense rainfall. "When it rains heavily and a large amount of rain falls in a short time, if there are barriers along the river course, the water cannot drain normally. Then it spills and causes damage," he explained.

The filling of riverbeds is strictly prohibited. The control of water bodies is shared between different institutions. "In the urbanized areas, the municipalities are responsible for the maintenance and conductivity of the water bodies. Outside the populated areas - this is the obligation of the regional governors, who by law must carry out inspections at least once a year," said Eng. Dimitrov.

Instructions will be issued to address the problems, and in cases of illegal construction and pollution - administrative sanctions.

More information is forthcoming in the live coverage of Nivelina Nyagolova-Georgieva.