PM Arrives In Flood-Hit Galati In Eastern Romania To Check Dam Building Works

Nearly 1,400 firefighters and gendarmes from several counties are working to put up the dam in Galati.

Boc said earlier Monday that the situation in Galati is of top priority for local and central authorities, adding that the 4.5-kilometer long dam under construction is to be finalized Tuesday.

Weather reports said the level of the Danube river keeps rising and is expected to overflow Galati on July 7, when the Danube level is expected to reach 690 centimeters and flow 17,860 cubic meters per seconds.

Galati prefect Cosmin Paun on Monday said that if the dam in Galati collapses, the economic loss will be huge, stressing that the closedown of the regional customs office alone might trigger loss of EUR18.5 million per day. Paun went on saying that 8,000 people live in the floodable area and must be evacuated immediately if the dam gives in and collapses. The area in Galati at risk of flooding hosts the largest economic operators in Galati, which ensure nearly 12,000 jobs.

Galati deputy mayor Nicu Ciumacenco said Monday morning that authorities had trouble supplying sand for the building of dam, adding that slag from the local iron and steel mill would be used to build the dam. Local authorities in Galati stressed that if the dam collapses, the country will face the worst urban disaster after the Second World War.

Interior Minister Vasile Blaga said Sunday that protecting the city of Galati is of top priority for authorities and stressed that a temporary dam would be built to protect the city against potential floods.

Recent flooding has left over 20 people dead and thousands have been evacuated, mostly in northeastern and eastern Romania.

Weather conditions are not set to improve yet and authorities have issued a new advisory for heavy rain and thunderstorms expected until Tuesday night in northern, eastern, central, south-central and part of southeastern Romania.

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