Floods in Romania: A Preventable Disaster

The recent floods in Romania, which resulted in the loss of five lives, dozens of injuries, and the destruction of over 5,400 houses, were a preventable disaster. The Court of Accounts had warned of the risks of such a tragedy in several reports, dating back to 2017.

The Romanian National Water Administration (ANAR) had been criticized for its lack of action in maintaining and inspecting dams, particularly those managed by third parties. The law requires ANAR to ensure that dams are safe and that owners and administrators take necessary measures to prevent accidents.

Dam Safety Legislation

Law number 466 of July 18, 2001, regulates the safety of dams in Romania. The law categorizes dams into four categories: A (exceptional importance), B (particular importance), C (ordinary importance), and D (minor importance). The fish dams that broke in Galati county were categorized as D.

The law requires ANAR to maintain a record of dams with higher risks and to intervene to remove those risks. Technical expertise for dam safety is also defined in the law, requiring specialists to be certified by the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of the Environment.

ANAR’s Responsibilities

ANAR is the competent authority responsible for approving the operation of dams and ensuring their safety. The regulation for the operation of dams has clear provisions regarding heavy rain and flooding. ANAR must supervise the behavior of dams and surrounding structures during floods and take necessary measures to prevent accidents.

Previous Warnings

The Court of Accounts had published several reports warning of the risks of floods and dam failures. In 2017, the report noted that over 1,000 dams were not authorized to operate safely, posing a risk to the population, property, and the environment.

Last year, the Court of Accounts reported that the situation had worsened, with 121 dilapidated dams and a lack of qualified staff for expertise. The report also took stock of the floods between 2014 and 2021, resulting in 17 deaths, over 8,700 people evacuated, and significant material damage.

Lessons from the Republic of Moldova

The Republic of Moldova has successfully identified and demolished illegal or unauthorized dams, even during the current period. Romania can learn from this example and take action to prevent similar disasters in the future.