Al-Sayha dam collapse threatens agricultural lands with flooding 

Local sources in the southern countryside of Aleppo reported the collapse of Al-Sayha earthen dam, resulting in a large influx of water towards agricultural lands and nearby valleys. In addition, the residents and local authorities are attempting to contain the collapse' repercussions, close the watercourse, and limit the spread of damage.

The sources indicated that the collapse caused water to rush towards vast agricultural areas in nearby villages, raising concerns about significant crop losses, especially in light of the region's reliance on the dam as a primary source of irrigation during the agricultural season.

According to residents, local teams have begun emergency operations using simple methods to close sections of the collapsed dam and divert the water's flow in an effort to prevent it from reaching wider areas of land and property; however, these efforts have not yet yielded conclusive results.

Initial estimates suggest the potential flooding of areas planted with wheat and vegetables, in addition to inflicting damage to some irrigation networks. This could negatively impact agricultural production in the region this season, particularly given the limited availability of alternative water sources.

It is worth mentioning that since years, Al-Sayha earthen dam has been suffering from structural weaknesses and erosion in some parts, coupled with a lack of regular maintenance and the recurring appearance of cracks during the rainy season, raising concerns about its potential collapse.

Fears remain that the damage could escalate if the water continues to flow, prompting calls from residents for urgent intervention to conduct a comprehensive technical assessment of the dam and the irrigation system in the area, and to implement measures to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.