Moldovan parliament speaker urges local authorities to take urgent measures against floods

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu has called on local public authorities to take urgent measures, in order to prevent flooding and reduce the impact of heavy rains forecast for the days to come.

In the context of weather warnings and the damage caused by recent rainfall, the speaker asked mayors and district heads to mobilize available resources to clean and unclog water drainage channels.

“My message to all mayors and district heads is quite clear. You have seen the forecast for this weekend. We must urgently unclog all channels located in our settlements. You have resources, you can mobilize equipment, including with the support of economic agents. We have to do this now, so that we don’t pay a higher price later,” Igor Grosu said.

The official stressed that many of the problems arising after torrential rains could be prevented through proper maintenance of drainage infrastructure and water evacuation channels.

“It is not right to wait every time for the Environment Ministry or other central institutions to come and solve these problems. The channels are located on the territory of local authorities and must be permanently maintained,” the parliament speaker said.

Grosu recalled that, in recent years, the state had allocated funds for unclogging works in more localities frequently affected by floods, including in the Botna area, where works are to continue. He also mentioned the interventions carried out in Radeni, where authorities took action following the recent precipitation too.

At the same time, the speaker requested a rapid assessment of the damage caused by the bad weather and its submission to local and district commissions for emergency situations.

“We must take action and carry out the necessary assessments. The damages must first be presented to the local commissions, then to the district ones and to the responsible institutions,” Grosu said.

According to him, the heavy rains have also hit infrastructure projects financed through government local development programmes, some of which already require rehabilitation works.

“Many infrastructure projects supported through state programmes have suffered in the localities affected by floods. We will now have to step in to rehabilitate them,” the official noted.

Igor Grosu insisted on the need for preventive measures and warned that blocking watercourses or setting up unauthorized barriers can amplify the effects of heavy rainfall.

“We need to anticipate and prevent. Where there are channels and water drains, they must not be blocked. It is important to observe the rules and avoid interventions that can increase the risk of flooding,” the speaker concluded.

The torrential rains of June 6 and 7 caused significant damage in more districts of the country, with the worst hit being the localities of Puhoi, Tipala, Gangura and Carbuna in Ialoveni district. In the commune of Gangura, a road segment of approximately eight kilometers and about 100 households were damaged by the heavy rainfall. In Puhoi and Tipala, there were massive water accumulations, flooding of households and blockage of sections of local roads, requiring the intervention of rescuers to tow more stranded vehicles.

In Straseni district, the localities of Voinova, Chirianca, Onesti, Rassvet, Greblesti and the Straseni municipality were also affected, with flooded households and blocked roads reported. Most rescue interventions also took place in the village of Gribova, Drochia district, where water flooded homes, cellars and households. In total, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations recorded 65 intervention requests across ten districts of the country.