Abstract

The meteorological and hydrological events of September 5, 2007 in southern Moldova remained in the collective memory, mainly due to flash flood formed in the Tecucel basin, phenomenon that led to inundation of much of the city of Tecuci and death of three people in this community. This event was the first case, after the catastrophic floods of 1970, when a major city of Romania has been seriously affected by a river overflowing. Although the natural hazards represented by the heavy rains affected a much wider area (and were more intense in other hydrological basins), increased vulnerability of the confluence area of this tributary with Bârlad river (density of housing, infrastructure and economic activities in the flood) led to a increased risk to the area, resulting in a natural disaster far exceeded the previous events in rainy years 2005-2007. Field observations made in September 2007, both during the events and the subsequent analysis of their long-term effects may help to understand how climate risks caused by heavy rain of severe convective origin can be mitigated, especially in small and elongated river basins, which are the most likely to produce flash floods. Unfortunately the recent floods in Dorohoi showed again how vulnerable are the Romanian towns to flash floods caused by unregulated tributaries.

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