LocationsSîrma, part of Leova town, better prepared to address environmental risks
June 17, 2026
Sîrma, a locality that is part of Leova town, is crossed by the river of the same name, which in recent years has become increasingly difficult to manage. During periods of heavy rainfall, water would overflow its banks and reach areas close to people’s homes, flooding certain sections and affecting access to some parts of the locality. At the same time, the accumulation of silt and vegetation gradually reduced the river’s natural capacity to carry water.
To reduce these risks and improve community safety, riverbed cleaning and rehabilitation works have begun on the Sîrma River. The activities are being carried out with the support of the “Resilient communities through women empowerment” project, implemented by UNDP with financial support from Sweden and Norway. The works include cleaning and deepening the riverbed, removing silt and vegetation deposits, as well as constructing two pedestrian bridges to ensure safe access between different parts of the village.
“Over the years, the Sîrma River has changed its course. There were cases when the water reached right up to people’s gates. Residents repeatedly asked us to intervene, and we promised that we would carry out a project that would be both useful and beneficial for the locality,” says Lilia Cazacu, Deputy Mayor of Leova.
Local public authorities say that the intervention had been needed for many years, particularly in the context of increasingly frequent extreme weather events. According to them, during torrential rains, water accumulated rapidly and flooded several areas of the community, while the lack of a cleaned and deepened riverbed further aggravated the situation.
The situation is also confirmed by local residents who have been affected by flooding in recent years.
“Before, it was very difficult. Every time there was heavier rainfall, the water overflowed the banks and reached almost to our doorstep. We worried every time and tried to save our documents and important belongings. We hope that after these works the situation will change and that we will feel more secure,” says Ana Călărași, a resident of the village.
“We hope that, once the river is deepened and rehabilitated, the water will no longer flood households and will follow its natural course. We want this solution to be long-lasting and to provide greater safety for local residents,” says Lilia Cazacu, Deputy Mayor of Leova.
The intervention has already changed the appearance of the area. Residents say that the river, which in some periods had almost disappeared beneath sediment and vegetation, is beginning to come back to life.
Other residents have also noticed the changes resulting from the works.
“In the past, the river was much narrower, and when heavy rains came, the water would quickly overflow towards households. We can already see the changes. The riverbed is wider and deeper. When I saw that the works had started, I was pleased because we know how important this is for the village. I am convinced that once completed, the situation will be much better,” says Alexei Cujbă, a resident of the village.
In addition to reducing flood risks, the intervention is also helping improve mobility within the locality. Some of the improvised crossings previously used by residents did not meet technical requirements and became dangerous during periods of heavy rainfall. The new pedestrian bridges provide safer access and will facilitate movement between different parts of the village.
The intervention is taking place within a broader effort to strengthen administrative capacity and improve the delivery of local public services. Sîrma became part of Leova town following the voluntary amalgamation process, with Leova being one of the first voluntarily amalgamated communities in the Republic of Moldova, together with the villages of Tochile-Răducani and Sărata-Răzeși. The process aims to improve access to funding, support infrastructure development and enhance the quality of public services for residents.
UNDP, Sweden and Norway support solutions tailored to local needs, ranging from renewable energy systems and multifunctional equipment to infrastructure that helps protect communities from environmental risks and improves the delivery of public services.
