Officials from multiple towns in southern Bulgaria warn that the uncleared Stryama River poses flooding dangers to communities. Residents in Kalekovets and Trilistnik remember the 2022 disaster when floodwaters damaged 120 homes, and repairs remain incomplete three years later. Trilistnik Mayor Mircho Petrov said vegetation chokes the 5-kilometer stretch between villages, and any water rise threatens a repeat catastrophe that previously required the removal of 200 truckloads of damaged belongings.
Kalekovets Mayor Georgi Valkov said state authorities must clean the riverbed because compromised barriers on the eastern side endanger Trilistnik, and the absence of protection on the northern side leaves his village of 250 residents vulnerable. Both mayors emphasize that government agencies bear responsibility for maintaining the waterway. No immediate overflow risk exists, but leaders fear the next heavy rainfall will cause disasters that affect more than 800 Trilistnik residents.
Kalekovets Mayor Georgi Valkov said state authorities must clean the riverbed because compromised barriers on the eastern side endanger Trilistnik, and the absence of protection on the northern side leaves his village of 250 residents vulnerable. Both mayors emphasize that government agencies bear responsibility for maintaining the waterway. No immediate overflow risk exists, but leaders fear the next heavy rainfall will cause disasters that affect more than 800 Trilistnik residents.
