Rail traffic resumes after torrential rains in Moldova; trains continue moving to Chisinau

More sections of the railway infrastructure on May 22 evening were affected by water accumulation following torrential rains, which led to the preventive stoppage of three trains: Chisinau–Kyiv, Chisinau–Iasi and Chisinau–Socola, in the area of Pirlita station, central Ungheni district.

According to the Railway of Moldova state enterprise (CFM), the train on the Chisinau–Iasi route was forced to stop, because of the risk of water reaching the components under the carriages and the power supply system.

“The train has 74 passengers on board and is continuing its journey towards Chisinau, crossing the sections affected by water accumulation at a reduced speed of 5 km/h. At present, it is registering a delay of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes,” the enterprise announced.

At the same time, the train on the Chisinau–Kyiv route, with 142 passengers on board, was blocked for about 2 hours at Pirlita station, due to adverse weather conditions.

“The situation of the Chișinău–Kyiv train is being managed continuously by technical teams in the field. It will head towards the capital at a reduced speed,” the institution specified.

As for the train on the Chisinau–Socola route, the enterprise announced that it had resumed its journey towards the capital.

“Teams of the Railway of Moldova state enterprise intervened promptly, inspected the route and are constantly monitoring the situation, in order to guarantee the safety of passengers and the conduct of rail traffic under safe conditions. The situation is under CFM’s control and all responsible institutions are mobilized for rapid intervention and information,” CFM added.

Due to the heavy rainfall on May 22 evening, road traffic was blocked on the R-1 route, in the locality of Pirlita in Ungheni district. In the context, law enforcement officers urged road users to avoid the affected section, comply with police instructions and exercise maximum caution in traffic.

Meteorologists have issued a Yellow Code for atmospheric instability, valid on May 22 across the entire country from 14:00 to 23:00. On this period, short-term showers were expected, accompanied by thunderstorms, isolated heavy downpours (15–45 l/m²) with hail and squalls with gusts of up to 15–20 m/s.