Ruse Municipality cancels evacuation of part of Nikolovo, residents' increased caution remains in place

Saturday, 11 October 2025

After today's meeting of the operational group of the Disaster Protection Headquarters of the Municipality of Ruse, which was led by Mayor Pencho Milkov, a decision was made to cancel the evacuation of some of the residents of the village of Nikolovo, living 150 m from both banks of the Saradzhiyska River. The introduced measure was changed to an increased risk of evacuation for a period of 72 hours for the residents of the area. For the town of Marten, the measure of increased readiness for evacuation has been extended by 72 hours, and for Sandrovo the measure is dropped. The BG-Alert system was activated for the residents of the three settlements.
"The state of emergency remains for the village of Nikolovo and the town of Marten for the next 72 hours, as the incoming waters do not stop, although pumping is being carried out by the teams of the Fire Safety and Population Protection Department," commented Mayor Pencho Milkov. "At the suggestion of Commissioner Voychev, a decision was made to keep the two units available when the level rises," the mayor added. He also stated that 24-hour monitoring by surveyors will continue, who will also measure the piezometers, the data of which is currently encouraging - the wall is drying out and there is no increase in moisture. According to the mayor, specialists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences will also be involved to take depth samples. The controlled release of water from the dam continues, as its too rapid draining would create a danger for its wet side.
Measures are also being taken to limit moisture. Emergency design activities for future repairs to the wall are beginning, for which support will be sought from state institutions.
Mayor Milkov also stated that there is full coordination of the work of the Fire Safety and Population Protection Department in Marten and Nikolovo, as the water conductivity between the two settlements has been ensured over the past two days and there have been no critical points or spills.
Together with the Mayor of Nikolovo Zlatan Vanev, instructions will be distributed to the residents of Nikolovo, which will help them evacuate in case of danger. Residents of the settlement are urged to comply with the measures.

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