FUNDS are coming in to deal with damage wrought by heavy deluges and severe flooding from August 4-7 in western Bulgaria. 
The situation is beginning to stabilise, according to the State Agency for Civil Protection (SACP). However, the agency , which was monitoring dam levels, was expecting further downpours.   
Civil Protection teams are supervising repairs in all regions. Water supply was restored in most affected regions, but several cities were still without potable water. Hospitals and childcare centres were provided with mineral water. 
After allocating 170 million leva for affected regions, the former government of National Movement Simeon II released an additional nine million leva for flooded households. 
Each affected family will receive a one-off 1000 leva aid for mattresses, blankets, clothes and cooking utensils. The money will come from the state budget surplus and will be distributed by municipal social care services.
Repair work continues in affected areas, of which the most damaged are Ihtiman, Botevgrad, the Sofia region and Pazardjik. After a short hiatus during the heavy rainfall on August 16, work resumed in Elin Pelin and Gorna Malina municiplities.
Many roads were still closed. The northern Hemus highway is open, but traffic, in some areas, is two-way. 
Railway traffic from Sofia to Varna and Bourgas via Karlovo has been restored, according to the State Railways.
Night trains from Sofia to Bourgas via Plovdiv were transferred to Karlovo. The Sofia-Ihtiman line has been restored. Only the Septemvri-Ihtiman line remained closed. Trains are delayed, as slow speeds are required for some line sections.    
The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is allocating 500 000 leva for flood-affected regions. The Government is asking the EU Solidarity Fund for funds. Since June, total funds needed for flood relief have been estimated at 393 million leva.
Public campaigns are raising funds for flood victims. Nearly 600 000 leva has been raised so far by the ongoing “Your Aid” campaign organised by bTV National Television together with the three national telecom operators Mobitel, Globul and BTC.
The Bulgarian Red Cross Organisation has so far raised 1 061 582 leva.
The American Embassy and the US Agency for International Development donated $450 000 for flood victims.  
The US Marine Guards at the embassy donated on August 12 blankets and clothes to the Red Cross Organisation.
The Japanese Embassy donated $90 000 to the State Agency for Civil Protection on August 12. The embassy also donated water filters, water tanks and reservoirs.