Bulgaria will undertake the needed measures to ensure protection against floods. The latest rainfalls once again led to dam overflowing and flooded buildings.

Most problems arise from failures of local administrators to implement the needed preventive measures, the Bulgarian National Radio reported. Riverbeds are not cleaned and some of the water level control equipment does not function, experts said.

Administrators lack information about the number of dams given on concession, as well as about the people responsible for their maintenance.

The funds the Disaster Management Ministry allocated for flood repairs in the summer of 2005 represent a small portion of the needed financial resources. Another problem arises from the unpopularity of property insurances in Bulgaria.

After a session of the national crisis headquarters Disaster Management Minister Emel Etem said problems also arise from the failure of municipalities to take seriously warnings given last year. Riverbeds have not been cleaned yet and the condition of dikes and valves is not always well-known.

Changes to regulations will facilitate co-ordination between different structures and will provide faster disaster-management measure implementation, Etem said.