Three Children Drown in Syria’s Euphrates River as Deir ez-Zor Water Levels Rise

Three children drowned in the Euphrates River in Syria while another child went missing as water levels continued to rise in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, according to Al-Jazeera Net.

“Three children died from drowning and another went missing while swimming in the Euphrates River in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria, amid government warnings not to approach the riverbed as water levels continued to rise, in a development not seen in the country for decades”

Al-Jazeera Net

The Syrian Civil Defense said two children died from drowning while swimming in the Euphrates River in the village of Al-Kharita and a third child died from drowning while swimming in the Euphrates River in the village of Al-Zughayr.

Al-Jazeera Net

Al-Jazeera Net reported that the disappearance of a fourth child occurred while swimming in the Euphrates River in the village of Al-Kasrah, with Civil Defense teams in the Emergency Directorate and Disaster Management going to search for him.

The warning came as authorities urged residents not to approach the riverbed, not to swim, and to prevent children from playing near the Euphrates due to strong currents after the river’s water level rose.

Flood warnings were issued for Raqqa and Deir Ezzor as the Euphrates River rose following increased water discharge from the Euphrates Dam, with the Syrian Civil Defense warning that river levels could rise by more than 2 meters after dam discharge was increased to 1,500 cubic meters per second.

Arab News said the Ministry of Energy opened three spillway gates at the Euphrates Dam for the first time in more than 30 years due to rising water levels, describing the measure as necessary to protect the dam and maintain electricity stability.

ANHA

Al-Jazeera Net reported that flooding of roads and damage to two bridges and parks occurred as water today flooded several parks along the banks of the Euphrates in Deir ez-Zor city.

It added that Syrian authorities announced that both the Mari’iya Bridge and the Al-Maidin Earthen Bridge in Deir ez-Zor were taken out of service due to the Euphrates flood, explaining that the two bridges sustained partial damage as the water level continued to rise.

As the Eid al-Adha holiday approached, Syria’s Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed Al-Saleh, warned of the danger of swimming in the Euphrates after the rise in water level and strong current, calling on residents—especially children—not to risk lives.

“- Authorities urged residents living near the river to leave low-lying areas, suspend the use of boats and ferries, avoid crossing earthen bridges and move families and belongings to safer locations RAQQA: Syrian Civil Defense warned residents in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces on Monday of possible flooding as water levels in the Euphrates River continued to rise following increased water discharge from the Euphrates Dam”

Arab News

Al-Jazeera Net said Al-Saleh confirmed that the Euphrates has turned into a dangerous killer after its rise in level and the accompanying strong current, noting that the ministry’s teams are working through a joint operations room with the Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor governorates and the Ministry of Water Resources.

Arab News reported that rising river levels partially flooded Al-Yonani camp for displaced families south of Raqqa on Sunday, damaging dozens of tents and prompting calls for emergency assistance.

It said displaced families appealed for urgent humanitarian aid and relocation assistance amid mounting fears of further flooding as authorities urged residents living near the river to leave low-lying areas and move families and belongings to safer locations.