The death toll in Romania from storms and floods has climbed to 24, with one person still missing, the emergency situations inspectorate said yesterday as the Danube exceeded its warning level.

"Twenty-two people died in floodings, one is missing in the northern department of Suceava and two were killed by lightning", the spokesman for the inspectorate, Alin Maghiar, said. Fourteen deaths had been recorded in the night of Monday to Tuesday.

Since Wednesday more than 1,000 people have been evacuated in several regions, particularly eastern Romania, the inspectorate said, adding to the 13,000 who had to leave their homes after the beginning of floods on June 21.

Yesterday, more than 3,000 homes and 45,500 hectares of pastures, forests and farmlands were flooded in 162 villages and towns across the country.

Some 3,000 volunteers, riot police and troops have been working to evacuate endangered people and build dykes.

Damage caused by floods could amount to more than 0.6 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, Interior Minister Vasile Blaga said.