Bulgaria Opens Ivaylovgrad Dam: Floods in Evros River

Bulgarian authorities have opened the Ivaylovgrad Dam, causing a rise in water levels in the Evros River. Huge amounts of water from the dam are flowing into the Evros via the Ardas River, creating concern in riverside villages.

According to protothema.gr, over 500 cubic meters of water per second were flowing into the Evros, testing infrastructure. Soldiers are erecting barriers in the Tyhero area for flood protection.

Approximately 150,000 acres have been flooded. The most severe flooding in the area occurred in 2015, when the Evros received 3,000 cubic meters of water per second, resulting in 400,000 acres being flooded.

In addition to the Ardas River, the Evros also receives water from the Tundzha River (Turkey) and the Ergini and Erythropotamos tributaries.