The downpour hit dozens of localities in Romania after the national weather agency on Tuesday issued red alerts for the capital city Bucharest and five other counties in the south and southeast.

The government also ordered hundreds of schools and educational facilities to remain shut on Wednesday.

Roads leading up to the southeastern village of Silistea were cut off due to flooding, rescue services said.

Firefighters also intervened elsewhere in the country after roads were flooded and trees uprooted.

Authorities advised people against travelling.

Some 13,000 people in four counties were left without electricity.

Severe flooding struck Romania over the summer, killing three people in the northeast, with President Nicusor Dan urging that "sustainable investment in prevention and protection against climate risks" is needed.