An extended period of drought caused by a warm winter and temperatures above average in spring has been affecting much of Romanian territory as authorities in many parts of the country have called for a state of calamity to be declared. Ten counties suffer extensive drought damage that is threatening crops severely, according to public radio Romania Actualitati.

Danube flow has gone less than half the average for the period at the Portile de Fier dam and fountains across the country have been going dry. The most affected counties are Neamt, Bistrita Nasaud, Teleorman, Dolj, Valcea, Arges, Tulcea, Constanta, Calarasi, Ialomita.

The economic impact of the situation may lead to massive imports of cereals, higher food prices and difficulties in efforts to solve many of the problems that confront the Romanian agriculture as the country joined the EU this year.

The situation is dramatic in Bucharest as well, as temperatures have been soaring for several days, reaching well above 30 degrees Celsius. Temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius are expected throughout the country in the next 24 hours as well.