Euphrates floodwaters inundate home, farmland; force thousands of families to displace

Large areas of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa have witnessed severe damage in recent days as a result of rising Euphrates water levels, which have flooded homes, farmland, and camps, impacting thousands of families.

Local sources told ANHA agency that the increase in the river's water level is linked to higher water inflows from the Turkish side following the opening of dam gates along the Euphrates. No official announcement or publicly disclosed coordination with Syria’s interim government has been reported by the Turkish authorities.

According to relevant authorities, water inflow from Turkey has reached 2,000 cubic meters per second.

Vast areas of land submerged

The Euphrates water level rose by approximately three meters, flooding extensive agricultural areas and residential properties, while also damaging infrastructure in several villages along both banks of the river. Authorities estimated that around 2,400 families in Deir ez-Zor alone have been affected, in addition to approximately 1,500 dunums of agricultural land in western Raqqa countryside.

The rising water levels also forced the evacuation of several areas, while nearly 50 water pumping stations and electricity supply facilities were put out of service. In addition, three major earthen bridges in Deir ez-Zor and its countryside collapsed, severing connections between the eastern and western banks of the Euphrates—locally known as the “Jazira” and “Shamiya” regions. Concerns remain that floodwaters may spread further, expanding the affected areas.

Residents’ hardship and calls for assistance

Residents of the affected villages described the situation as “catastrophic,” saying they were compelled to build makeshift earthen barriers using basic means in an effort to protect their homes. They have called for the urgent deployment of heavy machinery and compensation for agricultural and material losses.

Camps located near the river were also affected, including sites housing hundreds of tents, after floodwaters seeped into them.

Infrastructure damage

The flooding extended to key roads and bridges, isolating several villages and forcing residents to rely on boats for transportation. Al-Shaher Bridge was particularly affected, further complicating movement between the two banks of the Euphrates and disrupting agricultural and commercial activities in the region.

Agricultural losses and compensation demands

Farmers estimated initial losses at hundreds of thousands of dollars due to damage to wheat and vegetable crops, in addition to the malfunction of agricultural engines located within the riverbed.

Residents have called for the formation of field committees to assess the damage, compensate those affected, and urgently rehabilitate damaged infrastructure.

A-H

ANHA