Syrian Energy Ministry Reduces Euphrates Water Flow in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor

The Syrian Ministry of Energy began reducing the quantities of water flowing through the Euphrates River in the governorates of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor after efforts with the Turkish side led to the start of reducing water inflows from Turkey toward Syrian territory to control flooding or excessive rises in water levels.

“The visiting Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara arrived today, Friday, in Deir ez-Zor Governorate—for the first time since taking office—to review the consequences of the Euphrates River flood and the damage it caused, accompanied by several ministers”

Al-Jazeera Net

Technical teams at the General Corporation for the Euphrates Dam began taking operational measures, including reducing water releases through the dam by 100 cubic meters per second as a first phase through a partial closure of spillway gate No. 3.

Al-Jazeera Net

On the ground, the crisis peaked when river water entered and flowed into the Hweijat Sakr area in Deir Ezzor, with water beginning flowing from Corniche Street amid fears the area could be completely submerged.

Syria’s al-Ikhbariya reported that residents of Hweijat Sakr and Hweijat Kati’ were fully evacuated by water ferries on Thursday and transferred to temporary shelter centers opened by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor inside the city to protect them from the flood.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Deir Ezzor city at noon on Friday for a field tour to inspect conditions on the ground, review evacuation and relief operations, and oversee coordination among ministries and local committees.

As the Euphrates flood risks unfolded, the Syrian Ministry of Health sent an urgent medical shipment to the Deir Ezzor Health Directorate containing first aid supplies and essential medicines to bolster the readiness of hospitals and health centers.

Logistics officer Amer al-Melhim said via the ministry’s Telegram channel on Friday that the ministry responded quickly by sending a shipment containing serums, medicines, and consumable medical materials to support hospitals and health centers in the governorate.

ANHA

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that, in light of the floods that inundated wide areas of Deir Ezzor province after the discharge gates at Turkey’s Atatürk Dam were opened, it was decided to postpone exams and practical sessions at Euphrates University to “a date to be set later based on developments.”

The National reported that the river’s water levels are forecast to reduce in the next two days but the situation remains delicate, while tankers were delivering drinking water and some water stations were out of action.

Al-Jazeera Net reported that the visiting Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara arrived today, Friday, in Deir ez-Zor Governorate—for the first time since taking office—to review the consequences of the Euphrates River flood and the damage it caused, accompanied by several ministers.

Syrian authorities said the flooding affected thousands of people and disrupted basic services, with the Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed Al-Saleh announcing preliminary statistics that 2,400 families had been affected by the flooding of the Euphrates River in Deir ez-Zor.

“Syrian Energy Ministry Begins Reducing Euphrates Water Flow The Syrian Ministry of Energy announced that it has begun reducing the quantities of water flowing through the Euphrates River in the governorates of Raqqa (northern Syria) and Deir Ezzor (eastern Syria)”

Enab Baladi

Al-Saleh stated that the river’s level was now within its natural course with no new floods occurring, while noting that rising water levels affected several areas in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, particularly riverine needs and agricultural lands.

The New Region reported that the defense ministry mobilized multiple military formations and departments to support response efforts in Deir ez-Zor, including carrying out “evacuation operations and the removal of embankments in several villages and areas affected by the flooding.”

Al-Jazeera Net said the floods followed the opening of the water discharge gate at the Euphrates Dam as a precautionary measure due to enormous water flow coming from Turkish territory, estimated at about 2,000 cubic meters per second.

In parallel, Enab Baladi reported that Syria’s al-Ikhbariya quoted Deir Ezzor Governor Ziad al-Ayesh saying that 60 water stations had gone completely or partially out of service as a result of the rising level of the Euphrates River.