Triolistnik and Kalekovets villages demand urgent repairs to Struma River

Residents of the Bulgarian villages Triolistnik and Kalekovets staged protests demanding immediate repair and cleaning of the Struma River embankments. They fear a repeat of the 2022 flood that submerged about 120 houses in Triolistnik. The agricultural minister announced that repair work will begin next week, but locals remain skeptical after years of unfulfilled promises.

Mayors Mircho Petrov (Triolistnik) and Georgi Valkanov (Kalekovets) warned that compromised dykes, excessive vegetation and blocked river channels increase the risk of severe flooding. A contract has been signed, and work on two critical sections near Kalekovets and Dolna Mahala is slated to start within ten days, including bank restoration, strengthening of dykes and removal of vegetation. The mayors said they will resume protests, including road blockades, if concrete actions are not taken promptly.