Extensive flooding hits northern Romania

Heavy flooding in northern Romania caused severe damage to roads and disrupted rail services in Bistrita and Maramures counties. The deluge left homes and farmland flooded and triggered landslides.

Floods wreaked havoc in northern Romania on Saturday night, February 18, 2023, causing severe damage to roads and disrupting rail services. The counties of Bistrita and Maramures were the hardest hit by the deluge, which saw rivers burst their banks, leading to widespread flooding of homes and farmland, and triggering landslides.

One of the worst affected areas was a new section of road that had been rebuilt two years ago using €2 million of European Union funding. The damage caused by the floodwaters has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the road’s drainage systems, which will need to be evaluated and upgraded to prevent future disasters.

The floods also left several roads impassable, causing difficulties for motorists. In Bistrita, an avalanche blocked the Rodna-Valea Vinului road, leaving drivers with a 30 km (18 miles) detour. The damage to the roads has also had a significant impact on rail services, with two fast train services delayed by over an hour due to fallen trees on the tracks in Maramures.

Local authorities are now assessing the damage caused by the floods and working to restore essential services as quickly as possible.

References:

¹ Floods in Romania cause landslides and damage roads – Euronews – February 20, 2023

Featured image credit: Euronews (stillshot)