Romanian officials announced Tuesday that numerous schools in southern regions, including Bucharest, will close Wednesday.
The decision follows red weather alerts forecasting intense rainfall across the capital and five southeastern counties.
Severe Weather Forecast
The environment ministry predicts 80-100 liters per square meter of rain, with some areas facing up to 140 liters. Authorities urged residents to avoid travel to minimize risks during the expected downpour.
Flood Preparedness Measures
In low-lying areas, officials are deploying sandbags to combat potential flooding.
Bucharest’s interim mayor, Stelian Bujduveanu, reassured residents, saying, “We’re ensuring safety and keeping the city operational.” He emphasized avoiding panic, especially for school pickups.
Regional Response
Five counties beyond Bucharest are also closing schools and preparing for floods. These measures aim to protect communities from the storm’s impact, expected to hit hardest overnight.
Recent Flooding Context
Romania faced deadly floods this summer, with three fatalities in the northeast. Neighboring Bulgaria reported four deaths last week due to coastal storms.
These events highlight growing regional weather challenges.
Call for Climate Action
President Nicusor Dan previously stressed the need for sustained investment in flood prevention. He called recent floods “a wake-up call” for stronger climate resilience strategies to safeguard lives and infrastructure.