Emergency in Bulgaria's Mizia Lifted

Authorities have revoked the 44-day-long state of emergency in Mizia announced after flash floods severely hit the northwestern town.

A man died and hundreds were left homeless when high waters inundated houses, depriving some 1200 of their dwellings.

Shortage of food and energy is still clearly perceived among the displaced, but life is gradually returning back to normal, officials say.

Mizia Deputy Mayor Nikolay Nenkovski told Focus News Agency that the water is now potable and also that the school year started as usual on September 5.

Damages on properties are estimated at BGN 4.5 M (tax assessment), with BGN 268 000 collected through Bulgarian Red Cross over the last weeks.

Nekovsky however argued woes would have climbed to BGN 50 M if calculated at market prices.