Heavy downpours in north-east Romania lead to flooding, resulting in the death of three individuals and the evacuation or isolation of hundreds more.
Headline: Tragic Floods Strike Romania: At Least Three Dead, Hundreds Evacuated in Neamț and Suceava Counties
In the heart of late July 2025, Romania faced an unprecedented onslaught of extreme weather, particularly intense flash floods caused by torrential rainstorms, which claimed at least three lives and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents in the northeastern counties of Neamț and Suceava[1][3].
The floods were triggered by extreme rainfall reaching up to 120 mm in 12 hours, causing the Bistrița and Moldova Rivers to overflow[2]. The death toll includes a 66-year-old man found drowned in Neagra, Neamț County, and two women who were reported missing and later found dead[1][3].
The hardest-hit localities by floods and storms are in north-east Romania, specifically in the Suceava and Neamț counties. In total, about 890 people were evacuated from Neamț, with additional evacuations in nearby affected localities such as Farcașa, Borca, and Poiana Teiului in Suceava County[2]. Many evacuees were relocated to relatives or centers arranged by local authorities[2].
Rescue efforts involved firefighters and helicopters from Suceava and Neamț counties working to evacuate water from flooded homes and rescuing residents trapped by rising floodwaters[1][2]. The Romanian government declared a regional state of emergency and allocated €15 million for disaster management. The Romanian President personally visited the affected areas and emphasized flood management as a national priority[2].
The Bistrița River recorded a historic discharge, the highest in the last five decades, with a height of 390 cm, exceeding the danger level by 40 cm[1]. Two SMURD helicopters are operating in the Bros̝teni area[1]. The official expects to evacuate as many people as possible and hopes there will be no problems[1].
Two elderly women were found dead in the Bistrița riverbed in the locality of Neagra[1]. A 85-year-old woman was extracted from the Bistrița riverbed by military firefighters[1]. Videos of the floods showcase the extent of the damages, with raging muddy floodwaters, destroyed vehicles, and damaged homes[1][3].
Damage was severe, with 41 homes completely destroyed and over 680 homes damaged in Suceava County alone, making this flooding event one of the worst in recent years for the region[4]. Infrastructure was also severely affected, with roads and bridges washed away or damaged beyond repair.
As the situation remains dynamic, the number of helicopters could be increased to aid in the rescue and evacuation efforts[1]. The Romanian government, local authorities, and emergency services are working tirelessly to provide aid and support to the affected communities, and the people of Romania stand united in their efforts to overcome this disaster.
[1] Romania Insider [2] Agerpres [3] Digi24 [4] Gândul [3] B1TV
- In the context of this extreme weather event, experts in environmental science are examining the potential role of climate-change in contributing to the floods.
- As a result of the flood disaster, general news outlets are covering the political implications of inadequate infrastructure, with many questioning the government's preparedness for environmental crises.
- Following the tragic death of several citizens due to the floods, Crime and Justice departments have initiated investigations into possible negligence or mismanagement in disaster response and infrastructure maintenance.
