Eastern Romania faced devastating floods overnight, resulting in the deaths of three elderly people and forcing the evacuation of hundreds.
Officials confirmed on Monday that heavy rainfall and strong winds hit 25 villages across nine counties, damaging thousands of homes and blocking roads. Four helicopters were deployed to search for stranded villagers as emergency teams continued rescue operations.
The worst affected areas were Suceava and Neamț counties, where two rivers breached their banks. A 66-year-old man drowned in Neagra, Suceava, while two elderly women—aged 85 and 83—also lost their lives. In Broșteni, all access roads were blocked, making rescue efforts difficult.
Emergency responders used an excavator to recover one of the victims. In the nearby town of Ostra, firefighters rescued eight people, including two children, from rising waters.
Rivers At Record Highs
The flooding caused significant damage to infrastructure. Bridges collapsed, trees were uprooted, and national highways were blocked. Electricity supply was disrupted in several areas. The water management agency reported that the Bistrița River reached a height of 390 cm in Neamț, far exceeding the danger level of 350 cm and marking the highest level since the 1970s.
Authorities issued Code Red and Code Orange weather warnings early Monday, after rainfall exceeded 70 litres per square metre in just three hours.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is monitoring the situation closely, while emergency teams including firefighters, mountain rescuers, police, and army units have been deployed across the affected areas. Nearly 900 people have been evacuated in Neamț, and several communities in Suceava remain isolated without mobile connectivity, making rescue coordination more challenging.
Evacuations Continue As Rescue Efforts Intensify
Rescue operations are ongoing in both Suceava and Neamț, where emergency teams are working round the clock to reach isolated villages and provide assistance. Helicopters, boats, and heavy machinery are being used to access flooded areas and deliver relief.
Many residents have taken shelter in schools and community halls after being evacuated from their homes. With mobile networks down in several locations, authorities are relying on ground teams and local volunteers to locate those still stranded or in need of help.
(With inputs from Reuters)
