Severe flooding in eastern Romania
The east of Romania has been hit by heavy rainfalls and flash floods, with dramatic consequences.
Daniela Budu, 16.09.2024, 14:00
Romania is on alert, relief camps have been set up and rescue operations launched after the flash floods of the past few days killed at least 6 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the east of the country. The authorities have used boats and military aircraft to evacuate people.
In this context, president Klaus Iohannis sent a message of solidarity with the disaster-hit families, and promised that the authorities and rescue teams mobilised all resources available in order to ensure a quick and efficient intervention.
In turn, PM Marcel Ciolacu, who travelled to the affected areas together with several Cabinet members, said the top priority at present is to prevent further loss of human lives. A task force was set up within the health ministry to ensure medical assistance for the locals of Galaţi and Vaslui, the most affected counties in the region. Task force members stay in touch with the local authorities and with the public health directorates in the 2 counties.
The interior and the defence ministries have mobilised hundreds of fire-fighters, gendarmes, military personnel and equipment to help evacuate the victims and rebuild the infrastructure destroyed by waters.
Local authorities also stepped in, to arrange temporary camps for hundreds of displaced victims. The government announced funds would be earmarked to help rebuild their homes, and approved the use of water, food and lightweight building structures from the state reserve.
On Sunday, an energy task force was convened by the line minister, Sebastian Burduja. He says all intervention teams are mobilised in the affected counties. The number of people left without electricity was over 24,000 on Saturday, when the situation was at its worst.
On Sunday, several segments of national and county roads in Galaţi and Vaslui were still closed because of the flooding. Railway traffic in the east and the south of the country was also affected by the heavy rainfalls.
Meanwhile, in Galaţi County, the hardest hit by flash floods, scores of schools have been closed down for Monday and Tuesday, the education ministry announced.
The situation remains critical, with closed roads, flooded homes and displaced people. Weather experts warn that in the forthcoming period as well rainfall and flooding are likely, and the weather will remain unstable.
Romania is not the only country hit by severe weather. Several other countries in central and eastern Europe have also reported substantial damage, victims and missing persons. Tens of railway routes in Austria, Czechia and Poland have been suspended, disrupting connections with the neighbouring states. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, voiced solidarity with all the victims and said the EU was ready to provide assistance. (AMP)
