Romania´s worst flood in 30 years calls for urgent resilient infra structure investment
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This month Romania is grappling with its most devastating floods in three decades, as torrential rains and violent storms have inundated vast swaths of the country, claiming lives, displacing thousands, and threatening critical infrastructure — including the famed Praid Salt Mine, one of Europe’s largest salt reserves and a major tourist destination.
As Romania braces for more rain in the coming days, the government has declared a state of emergency in several counties and pledged financial aid for affected communities. The Ministry of Economy is also assessing whether the deeper, active mining sections of the Praid Salt Mine can be salvaged.
“This is not just a natural disaster — it’s a wake-up call,” said County Prefect Petres Sandor. “We must invest in resilient infrastructure before it’s too late.”
Catastrophic Rainfall and Widespread Damage
Over the past week, relentless downpours have battered central and northeastern Romania, with more than 160 liters of rain per square meter falling in some areas — an event described by Environment Minister Mircea Fechet as “extremely rare and dangerous”. The deluge has caused rivers to overflow, sweeping away bridges, submerging homes, and cutting off entire communities.
At least five people have died, and hundreds more have been evacuated from counties including Galați, Vaslui, Covasna, and Harghita. Emergency services have been deployed across 27 counties, with red flood alerts still in effect in the hardest-hit regions1.
Praid Salt Mine on the Brink
Among the most alarming developments is the flooding of the Praid Salt Mine in Harghita County. The mine, which dates back to Roman times and draws nearly half a million visitors annually, has suffered severe water infiltration after the Corund stream overflowed and parts of the mine’s floor collapsed3.
Authorities have evacuated dozens of nearby homes and guesthouses, while emergency crews work around the clock to install protective barriers and sandbags. A bypass pipe is being constructed to divert water away from the mine, and high-powered pumps may soon be deployed to drain the flooded chambers.
“The situation is serious and preventable,” said President Nicușor Dan during a visit to the site. “We must ensure this never happens again.”
The mine’s closure has already left 130 workers without jobs and threatens the local economy, which heavily depends on tourism. Officials are now weighing long-term solutions, including the construction of a stormwater catchment basin or permanent redirection of the Corund stream.
