Code Orange and Red alerts for heavy rains and floods wreak havoc in western Romania

The Code Red for heavy rains in Caras-Severin and Timisoara counties and a Code Orange for other four counties have been issued in the western half of Romania on Wednesday evening, with heavy rainfall, floods and thunderstorm playing havoc in those areas. One man died struck by lightning, while another woman was injured.

Over 3,000 firemen have been deployed in the affected areas to help citizens cope with the effects of the floods.

The Code Orange for rainfall, wind and hail was in force in Sibiu, Valcea, Neamt and Hunedoara counties.

In Caras-Severin county, mostly affected by the bad weather, a county road was temporarily closed, while several streets in Slatina have been flooded following a flash flood. Eight villages have run short of electricity due to the rainfall and strong wind.

In Ramnicu Valcea, the roof of a oil station has been torn down by the storm on Wednesday evening, falling down several cars, while a gas line that fueled a block of flats in the city had been damaged.

Moreover, two underground passages in Ramnicu Valcea have been also flooded, while the storm put down several trees in Ostroveni.

Two struck by lightning: one man dead, a woman seriously  injured

Two people in Obarsia Closani commune in Mehedinti county have been struck by lightning on Wednesday night, while they were at a sheepfold in the locality.

A 78-year-old man died, while the 68-year-old woman was seriously injured and she is admitted to the hospital in Baia de Arama in critical condition.