Around 70 households affected by floods caused by heavy rains in Moldova; damages to be assessed

A total of 69 households have been affected by the floods caused by last week’s torrential rains. At present, all protective dikes have been reinforced, preventing the risk of new floods. The director of the National Crisis Management Center (CNMC), Serghei Diaconu, today made statements to this effect.

According to the official, the rains caused damage and flooding in 25 localities in the districts of Calarasi, Straseni, Ungheni, and Criuleni. As a result, around 400 households were at risk of being flooded, but through joint efforts and rapid interventions, they were successfully protected from the rising waters.

“We managed to prevent flooding in more localities. Only 69 households were affected, while, according to estimates, more than 400 households could have been hit,” Diaconu said.

He stressed that all protective dikes had been reinforced and are operational.

“The measures to reinforce the dikes, dig trenches and drain water to reduce pressure on the dikes have ensured that all of them are functional and have withstood the strain. There were a few failures that led to the flooding of certain land areas, about 400 hectares of farmland, and 55 kilometers of road. At the three dikes that were at risk of giving way, within a chain of seven storage basins, work was carried out non-stop over the last 72 hours. They have been reinforced with sandbags and specialized film and deliberate drainage trenches were dug to reduce pressure. Therefore, we can say with certainty that the localities will not be affected and the households, including those that were at risk of evacuation, will not suffer damage,” said Serghei Diaconu.

In addition, the authorities’ rapid interventions made it possible to protect more sections of roads and bridges from the risk of destruction.

The CNMC head pointed out that the damages caused were to be assessed.

“All damages are to be assessed at the end of these interventions, as there are still some households where the water has not completely receded. The Local Emergency Situations Commissions held meetings, in a first stage, in Ungheni and Calarasi, but they are to convene once more in all four districts, to send us the total estimated figures. Accordingly, part of the funds will be used from local budgets, and what could not be covered from local budgets will be supplemented by support on behalf of the government,” Diaconu noted.

The torrential rains of May 22 severely affected dozens of settlements, especially in the districts of Calarasi and Ungheni, destroying roads, blocking trains and flooding people’s households.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu today called on state institutions to maintain continuous mobilization, in order to provide support to citizens and communities affected by the rains. At the same time, the PM instructed the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to examine the possibility of providing support to the families hit.