Government officials discuss damages, consequences of 2021 heavy rains in Moldova

Chisinau, 22 June /MOLDPRES/ - The heavy rains with wind and hail have hit 38 settlements from 17 district of Moldova since early 2021, destroying 12 km of road and 820 square metres of roof slates were pulled out, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.  

At the same time, agricultural crops were affected on an area of more than 8,000 hectares; most of them were maize, sunflower, barley and other crops. Presently, the material damages are under estimation by the territorial administration bodies, both at the level of mayoralties and at the one of local commissions for emergency situations and the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU).

The data was reported today to acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi at a meeting convened at the government, with the participation of Agriculture Minister Ion Perju, Defence Minister Victor Gaiciuc and IGSU head Mihail Harabagiu.

The participants analyzed the capacities of intervention available, if necessary. At the same time, they assessed the prospects for diminishing the risks of eventual dangerous meteorological phenomena, which might take place. Thus, they noted that presently there were no dangers of floods both in the Dniester and the Prut meadows. The water flow is maintained high in both rivers, but without endangering the safety of settlements, as there is a substantial reserve margin up to the reaching of the flood risk levels. In the context, the participants in the meeting stressed the need to supply the available stocks of anti-hail rockets, with about 5,000 rockets used this year (twice as much against the year before), as well as the development of 18 new anti-hail stations, which would extend the area of protection on the districts of Stefan Voda, Causeni, Hancesti and Soldanesti.  

The acting PM gave instructions to decision-makers to ensure additional inspection of the protection dams and their strengthening, if necessary, as well as full assessment of the damages in an as short period as possible.  

photo: Government