Thunderstorms hit Romania
Extreme weather has caused extensive damage in Romania
Mihai Pelin, 20.07.2026, 14:00
Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and floods caused significant damage in 29 towns and villages in 16 counties in Romania on Sunday, when nowcast warnings concerning extreme torrential rains, hailstorms and strong wind were in force. Road traffic was disrupted on several national roads. According to the General Inspectorate for Emergencies, 88 cars were damaged.
Intervention forces evacuated water from the streets, households, cellars and basements, removed construction elements fallen from roofs, and cleared trees and fallen electricity poles.
On the other hand, 38 RO-ALERT messages were issued in 23 counties and the city of Bucharest to warn the public. Over 10,000 interior ministry personnel with over 6,800 vehicles across the country were on alert, alongside roughly 940 county ambulance crews and 530 mountain rescuers.
Road traffic was temporarily affected on some national roads due to water, silt and fallen trees on the roadway. Also, rail traffic was disrupted in the Voluntari area near Bucharest, as broken branches fell on the high-voltage line.
According to the General Inspectorate for Emergencies, the most significant damage was reported in Prahova County, in the mountain resort of Buşteni, where a flash flood caught 30 cars. The heavy rain in the Bucegi Mountains led to the quick increase in the level of the Jepi stream, which overflowed its banks. The flood, loaded with logs, boulders, sand and mud, flew towards the city, flooded streets and spilled onto national road DN1. Emergency crews rescued two people stranded in a car. Also, one person was caught in the flood and was rushed to hospital with limb injuries. Also in Bușteni, over 20 households were flooded.
The capital city Bucharest did not escape thunderstorms either, and over 100 trees and electricity poles were knocked down by the strong wind. Public transport was disrupted, as several lines of the Bucharest Transport Company were blocked and the circulation of electric trains from the city’s main train station, Gara de Nord, was affected, after lines were left without electricity for 20 minutes.
In this context, the Bucharest Department for Emergencies and the General Inspectorate for Emergencies permanently monitored the situation and coordinated interventions with the institutions in the National Committee for Emergencies within the environment ministry, which held an emergency meeting. (AMP)
