Story perspectives

Sandu to Seek Emergency Rule Over Energy, Water Shortages

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 2:49 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan will ask parliament to declare a state of emergency for energy and water supply.
President Maia Sandu chaired the Security Council meeting and urged rapid emergency regulations.
Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder said the Novodnistrovsk Reservoir fell 68 cm from 1-20 September, losing 63.4 million m³.
The ministry is removing illegal dams, dredging riverbeds and urging rational water use.

History

Historical Context

The 2003 European heatwave, peaking in August, plunged the Dniester basin’s water levels, triggering Moldova’s first nationwide water-scarcity emergency. The Ministry of Agriculture reported a 1.2-meter drop in the Novodnistrovsk Reservoir between June and July, costing €120 million in lost irrigation. Today, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan and President Maia Sandu are again urging parliament and the Security Council to declare a state of emergency as the reservoir fell 68 cm, echoing 2003’s crisis. If decisive measures are not taken, Moldova risks repeating the 2003 agricultural losses, potentially jeopardizing food security and prompting EU assistance negotiations.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan will ask parliament to declare a state of emergency for energy and water supply.
President Maia Sandu chaired the Security Council meeting and urged rapid emergency regulations.
Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder said the Novodnistrovsk Reservoir fell 68 cm from 1-20 September, losing 63.4 million m³.
The ministry is removing illegal dams, dredging riverbeds and urging rational water use.

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