The level of the Danube River’s Bulgarian stretch is continuing to rise, according to media reports on February 28 2010, after hundreds of acres of farmland and basements of houses were reported flooded the previous day.
 
The river rose by 42cm to 743cm in the municipality of Novo Selo, by 42cm to 782cm in the municipality of Vidin, by 42cm to 772cm in the municipality of Lom, by 37cm to 613cm in the municipality of Oryahovo, by 31cm to 606cm in the municipality of Svishtov, by 26cm to 624cm in the municipality of Rousse, and by 18cm to 600cm in the municipality of Silistra, Bulgarian news agency Focus said on February 28.
 
Vidin district governor Plamen Stefanov said that there was a need for increased vigilance as the water level climbed to 758cm in the municipality of Vidin.
 
Irrigation Systems EAD has been told to monitor the protective facilities along the Danube River and pump out groundwater, if necessary. CEZ power distribution company is to ensure there will be no power cuts at pumping stations.
 
The Port of Vidin was to check the water level three times a day – at 8am, 2pm and 10pm.
 
On February 27, Bulgarian National Television said that the waters of the Danube had risen and reached the critical level of 7m and 50cm, and were continuing to rise.
 
Hundreds of acres of farmland, basements of houses in the town and surrounding villages were under water because of high groundwater.
 
In the past few days, levels had risen sharply near Vidin and 24-hour monitoring of protective dykes had begun. If the level of the Danube exceeded nine metres, protective partitions would be raised, Bulgarian National Television said.