Euphrates River Levels Recede in Eastern Syria After Flooding Affected 2,400 Families

Syrian authorities announced a gradual improvement along the Euphrates River on Saturday, following exceptional flooding that impacted approximately 2,400 families in the eastern provinces of Deir ez Zor and Raqqa. The situation began to normalize after technical measures were implemented to reduce the river's flow.

Minister of Energy Mohamed al-Bashir stated that the river's levels are progressively returning to normal. The flow had reached nearly 1,800 cubic meters per second, a level not seen in over three decades, occurring when reservoirs were at 97% capacity. Al-Bashir explained that authorities closed gate number 4 of the Euphrates Dam spillway, which was releasing about 300 cubic meters per second, reducing the total flow to approximately 1,400 cubic meters per second.

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The levels of the river begin to return progressively to normality thanks to a series of technical measures applied in recent days to reduce the flow.

Technical teams are continuously monitoring hydraulic facilities to ensure a safe return to usual river levels and protect strategic infrastructure. Emergency services, civil defense, and local authorities remain on alert. Preventive evacuations have been carried out in riverside areas, including relocating residents from Al Huwayqa in Deir ez Zor to safer locations. In Raqqa, emergency management teams reinforced protections for several drinking water stations threatened by the rising water levels, constructing earth barriers to prevent inundation.

The recent flooding caused infrastructure damage, including the collapse of three bridges. Tragically, four children drowned in Al Saghir on Wednesday, and a search continues for a missing minor. Officials highlighted that the implemented measures have helped mitigate further damage.

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The teams built an earth barrier around the drinking water station of Al Sharida village to prevent water from reaching its facilities and technical equipment.