Severe flooding in Parajd, Romania, has led to the closure of the area's key salt mine, significantly impacting the local economy and igniting anger among residents.

The local mayor disclosed on Thursday that efforts to preserve the final intact part of the mine proved unsuccessful, with water breaching into the Telegdy section just after noon.

László Nyárgus, the mayor, noted that despite all available resources being mobilized by the mine's workers, the Korond River managed to infiltrate, forcing officials to cease protective actions.

The flooding overwhelmed concrete barriers, leading to a decision to evacuate equipment and save any remaining assets within the facility.

The situation escalated as news spread that the mine had been rendered inoperable following the flooding, which prompted the official closure of its entrance and the abandonment of rescue operations.

In response, local residents took to the streets, demonstrating outside the mine's gates.

Many in the community expressed feelings of betrayal, attributing the disaster not only to the floodwaters but also to delayed decisions, indecisive actions, and shifting responsibilities by authorities.

The resignation of Sebestyén József, the mine's development director, has compounded the local discontent amid governmental silence regarding the incident.

As of Thursday afternoon, the final trucks had exited the mine site, where fencing was erected around the entrance, complemented by a sign designating the area as private property with restricted access.

Many locals fear the mine might never reopen, asserting that organized protests may be planned if authorities fail to provide transparent information about the mine's future.

Residents have highlighted that this situation represents a long-ignored issue, with the local government appearing powerless to intervene as the mine is state-owned, directly under the jurisdiction of Romania's national salt mining company, Salrom.

The closure of the Parajd mine is particularly impactful as it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, with its collapse affecting not only Parajd but also the nearby towns of Szováta, Korond, and Farkaslak.

Reports from the disaster management authority indicated to the mine's management that all activities must be halted due to the real risk of collapse, while Raed Arafat, head of the ministry of interior's disaster management division, assured that the government would approve funding for the necessary works to address the situation, especially given that floodwaters have also affected local roads.

However, commencement of these efforts is contingent on the cessation of rainfall.

In a statement on Thursday, Salrom emphasized its commitment to do everything possible to restore salt production and potentially reopen the mine, asserting solidarity with the Parajd community during these challenging times.

Concerns about management arose earlier, with a state of emergency declared in early May, and the mine officially closed on May 6, following heightened flood risk due to the influx of water from the Korond River.

The crisis was aggravated by damage to the riverbed's waterproof geofabric, which failed to prevent water intrusion.

Intensive rainfall led to a rapid increase in river flow, reaching 50 cubic meters per second, which accelerated the infiltration process.

The flooding has had a broader impact across the region, with nine municipalities affected, hundreds of residents evacuated, and substantial agricultural land, roads, and homes submerged.

The water levels of the Tatrang, Kovászna River, and Feketeügy have risen to critical levels, and authorities are monitoring the most vulnerable areas continuously, ready for immediate intervention if necessary and potential further evacuations.