1200 decares of agricultural production was destroyed by the hail that hit StarozagorskoNova TV reports.
We remind you that strong storms broke out in the central and southern parts of the country yesterday afternoon. The torrential rain made traffic difficult on the “Trakia” highway in the region of Stara Zagora and Plovdiv. Large hail fell in southern Bulgaria, and in some places the ice pieces were the size of walnuts.
The mayor of the village of Zetivo in Stara Zagorje, Ivan Ganev, explained to BNT that in this area alone, about 5,000 decares of agricultural land planted with wheat, sunflower and corn were destroyed. Neighboring villages were also seriously affected. Local agronomists point out that such mass destruction last occurred in 2018.
Damage assessments are ongoing, with areas affected expected to increase as a second hailstorm fell last night.
Hail the size of a walnut hit Southeast Bulgaria
A small town also hindered traffic on AM “Trakia”
bTV reports that in the Novozagorsk village of Karanovo, more than 140 decares of vineyards were damaged. Local people do not know if there will be a harvest. The barley and wheat crops in the area were also destroyed.
“Harvest, where there is, will be very difficult, in places harvesters will not even enter. Many farmers rely on their harvest. Now people can rely on the state and the Ministry of Agriculture, and hopefully measures will be taken, because the situation is terrible“, explained the mayor of the village, Nikolina Stefanova.
The anti-hail agency said it had fired 600 missilesto prevent even bigger problems.
11,793 flares are provided for hail protection
Artificial impact operations begin tomorrow
The Ministry of Agriculture announced that they formed expert committees, to examine the damage to the plantations from the fallen hail. According to preliminary data, the most affected agricultural areas are in the regions of Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Sliven.
The department recalls that farmers must submit an application for an inspection within 7 days. Based on it, finding protocols are issued for 100% failed areas as a result of unfavorable climatic conditions, including hail. The documents will be accepted at the municipal agricultural offices.
Once the commissions describe the damage, the farmers will be able to receive compensation under the state aid to compensate for the damage caused by adverse climatic events.
