Bulgaria Recovering From Heavy Rains, Snowfall

Situation is returning to normal in Bulgaria after heavy rains and snowfall that claimed a woman's life wreaked havoc across the country over the weekend.

Even though the weather service issued warnings of high winds and heavy rain and snow well in advance, in many parts roads were closed and traffic was disrupted. According to bTV station more than 16,000 households remain without electricity as of Monday morning.

Black Sea port of Burgas is closed due to high winds and a state of emergency in Burgas region remains in force.

In Haskovo municipality, where swollen rivers flooded about 60 homes on Saturday, authorities begin to estimate damage to award compensations to the most needy.

State of emergency also remains in force in the mountainous region of Gabrovo where tens of villages still have no electricity with waist-deep snow making it difficult for emergency crews to restore power supply.

Monday will be a day off for schoolchildren in the regions of Gabrovo and Sevlievo as most roads there remain blocked by snowdrifts.