SOFIA - Bulgaria closed two Black Sea ports and declared a state of emergency in one southern region Monday as torrential rain and storms lashed the country, rescue services and national radio reported.
More than four inches (10 centmetres) of rain fell in southern Bulgaria over the past 12 hours, the National Meteorological Institute said.
One river, the Maritsa, broke its banks, flooding roads on the outskirts of Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city.
Rescue services said a state of emergency had been declared in the southern town of Radnevo and nearby villages after scores of houses and buildings were flooded.
In the Kardzhali and Smolian regions in the Rhodope mountains, at least 17 villages were without electricity.
National radio reported that in the east of the country, the ports of Varna and Burgas were closed due to strong winds.
The environment ministry said that the Ivaylovgrad dam on the Arda river was full, prompting authorities to warn neighbouring Greece and Turkey of possible flooding down river in their territories.
Meteorologists forecast more rain, turning occasionally to snow, and strong winds across much of the country on Monday, with a respite expected Tuesday.
ds/spm/jj
11/19/2007 10:45 GMT