Flash Flooding in Romania Claims Five Lives

Heavy rains have triggered flash flooding in eastern and central Romania. More than 750 people have been rescued from the flood waters and at least five people have been reported dead. The flood damage spans across more than two-thirds of the country and has impacted approximately 300 towns and villages, according to the Balkan Insight. As the rains slow and the country recovers, more than 20,000 emergency workers have banned together to assist those displaced by the floods.

The Romanian National Meteorological Administration has issued code red warnings that warn residents rivers in impacted areas are likely to pass the danger level and overflow. The storms have impacted electricity, traffic and the rail service following nearly two weeks of severe weather in Romania. According to Romania Insider, this June has been the wettest in the last 40 years for the country, with more than 140 liters per square meter. 

The Weather Channel reported that one man drowned Sunday as he was crossing a river on horseback in southern Romania. On Saturday, a 70-year-old woman drowned in eastern Romania as floodwaters carried her away, and a man picking vegetables also lost his life.