site.btaTorrential Rain, Hailstorms Cause Chaos in Romania

A strong storm caused chaos in Bucharest on Wednesday evening. Torrential rain flooded dozens of thoroughfares and affected road and pedestrian traffic. Water entered one of the busiest metro stops in the centre of the Romanian capital.

Some residents and visitors were forced to take off their shoes to manage to cross the huge puddles that formed, a BTA correspondent reported. There was also no shortage of fallen or snapped trees. A tree fell onto a tram while damaging electrical cables. There were no injuries, but traffic was restricted.

Red and orange weather codes were in place in Arges, Prahova and Dambovita. Damage was caused in all three districts, but the situation was worst in Dambovita, where 19 localities were affected. Local people say the hailstorms and strong winds have destroyed their crops and gardens, Agerpres reported.

Amid the deluge of water, the country's Romanian Meteorological Service has issued a yellow weather code for hot weather for most of the country. The temperature-humidity index is expected to exceed the critical threshold of 80 units.

The weather will remain hot over the weekend.