President Says Romania Unable To Improve Things For Future Flood Prevention, Relief

Speaking on public radio, Basescu said the country hasn’t got any resources to improve things in order to better tackle any unfortunate flood-related situations this coming fall or in 2011. He stressed Romania is prone to even worse situations unless it continues to slash public spending and added „it is very difficult to estimate the resources” needed to cushion the effects of recent floods.

Basescu underscored that the bulk of state budget revenues, or 80%, is used on consumption, namely, 30% goes to public sector salaries, 41% goes to social welfare, including pensions, 5% to the country’s public debt and 5% goes to subsidies. Basescu highlighted that only 20% of the state budget is left for the sectors of education, healthcare, police and all the other state institutions.

Recent floods in Romania have affected 530 localities in 37 counties between June 23 and July 5, 2010, left 23 people dead and prompted the evacuation of more than 18,000 people. Preliminary data indicate that foods have damaged 41 national roads, 110 county roads, 164 communal roads, 328 bridges, 2042 footbridges and 25,039 fountains.

Also, the Danube River’s flow will hit maximum values Friday in the flood-hit city of Galati, where the water level is expected to reach 687 centimeters.