The floods causing mayhem in many regions in Bulgaria have had an impact on neighbouring Turkey and Greece, Bulgarian media reported on February 16 2010.

Some regions around the Turkish city of Edrine are already under water from the Maritsa river, which burst its banks. Conditions have been aggravated because Bulgarian authorities had to vent some dams and released more water towards Turkey, to prevent an all-out disaster.

In northern Greece, in the area of Evros, the flooding was said by Greek media to be "unprecedented". Regional railway and road arteries had been flooded and badly affected.

Greek authorities were to hold "emergency discussions" on February 16 2010 about the unfolding conditions. The situation is exacerbated by the heavy rainfall which led to the water level of the Evros River rising above emergency level, in addition to snow melting in Bulgaria contributing to the problem.

According to Greek authorities, more than 12 000 hectares of land, including 5000 hectares of farmland, have been submerged over the past two days.

In the village of Lavara, 20 people were forced to evacuate their homes and stay with relatives or in hotels, Kathimerini said..

In Bulgaria, the Tundja River has long since overflown, and the region surrounding Elhovo is in a state of emergency. Most of the town, market area, bus station and other infrastructure is under water.

The Municipality of Smolyan is also in a "severe state of alert," Bulgarian National Television said on February 16.

The Kamchiya River burst its banks, flooding a fishing village and causing alarm in the Varna borough of Asparouchovo, where already parts of the borough are under water.

Dams in Bourgas have reached maximum capacity, while the Ticha, Yastrebevo and Byal Izvor dams are being discharged in order to avoid uncontrollable flooding. Turkish authorities have been warned since February 15 that they are to expect more flooding around the Maritsa River and beyond.