Heavy rain fell throughout eastern Bulgaria and along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, with up to 70 litres a sq m of precipitation reported in Shabla in the north-east of the country, private Bulgarian television channel bTV said on July 9 2010.

Rain has been relentless for more than 12 hours in some areas and was at its most intense in Shabla and Dobrich, the report said. Authorities said that the heavy rains were also interspersed with a thunderstorm but "without serious damage sustained as a result of the storm so far", bTV said.

The fire brigade was deployed in the road between Shabla and Fara to remove fallen trees, while a stranded vehicle with Hungarian tourists bound for the Black Sea was rescued.

Rain in Varna also lasted for more than 12 hours, with temperatures falling to 19C and below. Serious rainfall was also reported in the St St Konstantine and Elena resort near Varna.

Units from the Civil Protection Service are on alert to provide assistance if required, the report said.

According to the Bulgarian meteorological service, the weather conditions for July 9 would remain similar, with the weather system remaining over Bulgaria, with serious rainfall and thunderstorms expected over eastern Bulgaria for the second day running.

Along the seafront, the temperatures will be between 22 and 24C. Torrential rainfall in places is to be expected.




Elsewhere in the country, only scattered rain showers are expected, the report said. .