PHOTO // Moldova's Emergency Inspectorate reports 65 interventions after June 6 torrential rains

Heavy rains on June 6 caused flooding, road blockages and damage in more localities of Moldova, requiring 65 interventions by rescuers and firefighters. According to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), the most affected areas were in the districts of Ialoveni, Straseni, Drochia, Telenesti, Soroca, Rezina and Sangerei, as well as in the Chisinau municipality and the town of Durlesti.

In Ialoveni district, the heaviest damage occurred in the localities of Puhoi, Tipala, Gangura and Carbuna. In Gangura, a road section of approximately eight kilometers and around 100 households were affected. In Puhoi and Tipala, floodwaters inundated properties and blocked more local roads. Seven vehicles, including three minibuses, were towed from the affected areas. In Puhoi, local authorities urgently convened the Emergency Situations Commission.

The Straseni district was also among the hardest hit. In the localities of Voinova, Chirianca, Onesti, Rassvet, Greblesti and the municipality of Straseni, flooding was reported in households and homes, as well as blockages on some road segments. In the municipality of Straseni and in the village of Vorniceni, rescuers intervened to pump water from yards, basements and the roadway. In the village of Greblesti, more consumers were temporarily left without electricity, but supply was later restored.

In the village of Gribova, Drochia district, about 20 households were hit by water runoff from slopes, with homes and cellars being flooded. In Telenesti, floodwaters entered basements, yards and homes and three households were affected in the Leuseni village.

Problems were also recorded in other districts. In Bulboci, Soroca district, a house and a cellar were flooded, and traffic on a local road was temporarily suspended. In the locality of Peciste, Rezina district, debris blocked a stretch of road, while in the village of Cliscauti, in Sangerei district, gardens were flooded and road infrastructure was damaged.

In the municipality of Chisinau and the town of Durlesti, significant water accumulation was reported on more major streets, including Muncesti Highway, Dacia Boulevard, Calea Basarabiei Street, Mesterul Manole Street and Tudor Vladimirescu Street. Traffic was difficult but did not require a full closure of circulation.

Overnight, IGSU pre-positioned forces and equipment in localities downstream of the Botna River, in order to monitor the situation and respond rapidly if needed. According to the authorities, water levels are decreasing both in Puhoi and in Homuteanovca, where six households and more agricultural lands were affected.

IGSU specifies that, following the recent weather events, no fatalities or injuries have been recorded. The situation continues to be closely monitored, while intervention teams carry on with damage assessment, water pumping and restoration of the affected infrastructure.