What happened

A sudden cloudburst over the Bucegi mountains on Sunday sent a violent torrent down Valea Jepilor, overwhelming the Jepi stream and flooding the resort town of Bușteni. Water mixed with logs, stones and sand poured onto DN1, the main road through the Prahova Valley, and into the central streets. The Prahova County Police Inspectorate (IPJ) reported that several streets were under water, with significant accumulations disrupting traffic and cutting off access to some areas.

Meteorologist Sergiu Tean, stationed at the Vârful Omu weather station, told Digi24 that torrential rain in the preceding tens of minutes had formed powerful torrents on the Bucegi valleys, especially Valea Jepilor, and warned tourists to avoid the area until the weather passed. Former mayor Mircea Corbu said at least one neighbourhood, near the cable car, was isolated and he could not reach the town centre.

Rescue operations

Firefighters from ISU Prahova deployed a fire engine and a SMURD ambulance to the scene. Raed Arafat, head of the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), confirmed that 12 people were rescued by firefighters, two of them pulled from a car. No missing persons or fatalities were reported.

“12 people were rescued by firefighters. Two people were pulled from a car by firefighters. We have no reported missing persons or victims. We have a pedestrian who was swept away by the water and suffered fractures.”

A 33-year-old woman walking near the entrance to Bușteni from Sinaia was caught by the flood. A passerby pulled her from the dangerous area before a SMURD crew from Sinaia took over and provided medical care for her fractures.

Traffic and access disrupted

DN1, one of Romania's busiest roads, was inundated in the central part of Bușteni. Police advised drivers and pedestrians to avoid the flooded zones, not to attempt crossing water-covered roads on foot or by car, and to follow the instructions of emergency crews. Residents were urged to call the single emergency number 112 for life-threatening situations.

“At this moment, on DN1 (central area), in Bușteni, several streets are flooded, with significant water accumulations affecting traffic and access to certain areas.”

Weather outlook

Prahova county remains under yellow and orange weather warnings issued by the National Meteorological Administration (ANM). Forecasters expect further torrential rain, strong wind and lightning until Monday. The risk of new local floods remains high, and authorities are monitoring at-risk zones as the situation evolves.