Concerns about rising Euphrates levels despite assurances of water stability

The Director General of the Euphrates Dam Authority, Engineer Haitham Bakour, confirmed that the water situation on the Euphrates River is currently stable. He noted that the water flow rate from the Kadiran Dam is approximately 1,800 cubic meters per second, with no indications of a further rise in water levels expected until next Sunday. Technical monitoring operations along the river are ongoing.

However, these assurances contradict escalating warnings from the field in the Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor governorates, where concerns are growing about the potential for widespread damage in areas near the Euphrates. This is particularly concerning given the repeated opening of the dam's gates due to increased water flow from the Turkish side following the opening of the Atatürk Dam, raising questions about the adequacy of the preventative measures in place.

The Deir ez-Zor Emergency and Disaster Management Committee announced the immediate evacuation of the Hawija Sakr and Hawija Katea areas in anticipation of potential flooding of populated areas. Estimates suggest that the evacuations could affect more than 7,000 people in the threatened areas, highlighting the fragility of the response to any potential escalation in the water crisis.

Around 50 water stations out of 210 have been rendered inoperable due to flooding, including the Al-Sa'wa and Al-Shumaytiyah stations in the western Deir ez-Zor countryside. This has exacerbated concerns about the decline in drinking water services and the lack of readily available alternatives in some affected areas, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Over the past few days, several drowning incidents have been recorded along the banks of the Euphrates River, amid warnings of increasing risks to residents, particularly children, due to the continued lack of adequate safety measures and monitoring along the riverbanks.

Local reports indicate that temporary bridges and crossings have suffered repeated damage and collapses as a result of rising water levels and inadequate infrastructure. This has led to the isolation of some villages and disrupted the movement of residents. Meanwhile, local demands are growing for a shift from temporary solutions to more effective plans, including reinforcing earthen embankments, repairing bridges, and improving emergency preparedness before the situation deteriorates further.

Sh-S

ANHA