Romania on red alert due to heavy rain, schools ordered closed

Romania on red alert due to heavy rain, schools ordered closed

Romanian authorities have decided to close schools in the Romanian capital, the south and southeast of the country tomorrow, Wednesday, due to very heavy rainfall expected from tonight.

“Precipitation of 80-100 liters per square meter is expected, and in isolated areas the amount of water could reach 120-140 l/m²,” the Ministry of Environment said today, recommending that citizens avoid traveling throughout the alert period.

The leaders of some low-lying communities have begun preparing sandbags to prevent flooding.

“Our priority is to reassure residents, to tell them that they are not in danger, to make sure that Bucharest does not come to a standstill and that there is no rush to pick up children from school and bring them home,” interim mayor Stelian Bujduveanu told reporters this afternoon.

Romania has been hit by floods this summer, which have killed three people in the northeast of the country.

President Nikos Dan said at the time that these “dramatic events” show the importance of “sustainable investments in prevention and protection from climate risks.”

According to experts, rainfall tends to become more intense due to global warming. Last week, four people died in neighboring Bulgaria after torrential rains hit the Black Sea coast.