Sofia News Agency, Bulgaria
Feb 6 2005

Varna Struggles to Return to Normal Life

Politics: 6 February 2005, Sunday.

After three days tightly embraced by blizzards, stormy winds and
freezing temperatures, the residents of “sea capital” Varna started
to return slowly to normal life with streets now cleaned up and food
supplies renewed.

Upon the initiative of local governor, six Orthodox churches, the
Armenian church and the mosque of the city opened doors to start a
campaign of handing out food supplies.

Schools of Varna will remain closed until next Monday, Mayor Kiril
Yordanov announced, but kindergartens will continue working as to
date.

Varna has been one of nine districts of Eastern Bulgaria to declare a
state of emergency after two-meter snowcover and hurricane winds made
any traffic in the region impossible.

All transport and track facilities, supported by the army, have
struggled since Thursday to clean up snow drifts and reach remote
areas, some of which have been left without electricity and running
water for two days.

Hundreds of automobiles, buses and trucks have stuck in the snow
drifts. Emergency management operations are continuing to provide
people with victuals, as well as with medical and transport aid.

The ports of Varna started receiving cargo ships only and unloading
them and the city airport also relaunched operation on Saturday.

In this grave situation temperatures dropped down to minus 20 degrees
in some north-west regions, while the country’s roads remain icy and
dangerous for driving.