Heavy Rain Causes Floods in Romania, Resulting in Four Fatalities

Heavy rainfall has led to severe flooding in eastern Romania, resulting in at least four deaths and damage to around 5,000 homes. The flooding has affected eight counties, prompting Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to visit the hardest-hit area in Galati county. In response to the crisis, a Black Hawk helicopter has been deployed for search and rescue operations, and rescuers are working to assist residents stranded by the deluge.
The Environment Ministry reported over 150 liters of rain per square meter falling in less than 24 hours in the affected regions. Television footage shows streets inundated with muddy water and debris.
Central and eastern Europe are on high alert as river levels rise following days of torrential rain. Further rainfall is expected in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, southern Germany, and parts of Austria. In some high-risk areas, emergency flood preparations are underway.
In the Czech Republic, rivers have surpassed alert levels, leading to evacuations along the Czech-Polish border. Prague, which was devastated by floods in 2002, has implemented preventative measures, including flood barriers. The city has also closed the Prague Zoo and experienced disruptions to Czech Railways services. Brno, the country’s second-largest city, has evacuated patients from a hospital as a precaution.
In southwestern Poland, the historic town of Glucholazy has seen firefighters deploying sandbags to manage rising river levels, and some residents have been evacuated. Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak warned of potentially severe weather conditions, with up to 150 liters of rainfall per square meter expected in the coming hours.
In Slovakia, officials are concerned about potential flooding in Bratislava from the swollen Danube River.