Humanitarian, agricultural disaster in Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa after dam gates opened

On May 22, excessive water released by Turkey from the Atatürk Dam on the Euphrates River caused severe flooding in North and East Syria. Due to Turkey’s delayed warning to the Syrian side, serious damage occurred, particularly in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa.

Along the Euphrates River, many villages, farmlands, and water stations were flooded. The disaster severely damaged the region’s infrastructure, prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency in several areas.

In North and East Syria, which has already struggled for years with economic crisis, drought, and the consequences of war, the sudden water surge caused massive destruction. According to relevant institutions, water flow from Turkey reached nearly 2,000 cubic meters per second, raising the Euphrates River level by about three meters within a short period.

Following the disaster, Syrian Interim Government Energy Minister Mohammed Bashir stated that one of the main causes of the flooding was Turkey’s excessive water release. He explained that the Turkish warning regarding rising water levels arrived too late, which increased the scale of the destruction and expanded the flood zones.

Turkey, previously criticized for reducing water flow, has once again become the focus of debate following the excessive release of water and the floods that followed. The incident has renewed discussions over the management of Euphrates water resources and their regional impact.

In Deir ez-Zor: Disaster Struck During Harvest Season

Deir ez-Zor was among the hardest-hit areas, with floodwaters inundating many villages and residential communities along the Euphrates River. According to official information, at least 2,400 families were directly affected, while nearly 3,000 families were displaced from their homes, many seeking shelter in temporary centers or with relatives.

As the flooding occurred at the beginning of the wheat and barley harvest season, farmers suffered major economic losses. Local sources reported that vast agricultural lands were submerged, irrigation canals collapsed, and several roads became unusable.

The flooding also caused the collapse of three major earthen dams, cutting transportation links between the eastern and western sides of the Euphrates. In some villages, residents could only move around using small boats.

One of the most dangerous consequences of the flooding affected daily life infrastructure. Out of 211 water stations in Deir ez-Zor, 62 went completely out of service. Overall, about 75 water stations across the region were either fully or partially disabled, causing severe shortages in drinking water and irrigation supplies. Camps located along the riverbanks were also damaged by the floods.

Residents warn that the disaster threatens not only current conditions but also food security in the coming months and years. Farmers estimate that damages to wheat and vegetable fields alone are approaching $100,000.

In Raqqa: Floodwaters Inundate Homes and Villages

The impact of rising Euphrates River water levels was also felt in the city of Raqqa and its countryside. In many villages along the riverbanks, homes were evacuated as water levels rose rapidly in several neighborhoods.

Although the scale of damage in Raqqa appears lower compared to Deir ez-Zor, the city still suffered significant losses. Out of 86 water stations, 15 were shut down as a precautionary measure. In western Raqqa countryside, around 1,500 dunams of agricultural land were damaged. Overall, nearly 7,000 dunams of land in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor were submerged by floodwaters.

Damage to roads and several bridges cut off many villages from one another. In some areas, livestock are being moved to safer locations, while residents are using their own resources to build earthen barriers to protect residential communities.

The Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Affairs in the Syrian Interim Government announced the formation of a joint operations room for Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. Officials also urged residents living along the Euphrates River to stay away from the riverbanks.

Tabqa Dam Gates Also Opened

Following the massive influx of water from Turkey, water levels at the Euphrates (Tabqa) Dam reached dangerous levels. After the reservoir exceeded 97% capacity, the dam’s spillway gates were opened for the first time since 1988.

Officials stated that Turkey is releasing nearly 2,000 cubic meters of water per second into the Euphrates River, one of the highest flow rates recorded in recent years. Iraq has also entered a state of alert in preparation for the incoming water wave moving through the Euphrates toward Iraqi territory.

Kalin’s Meeting in Damascus Draws Attention

One day before the water release, another development attracted attention as Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met in Damascus with Syrian Interim Government President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The meeting, together with the opening of the dam gates in Turkey, sparked wide political and strategic debate. Many parties in North and East Syria believe that the water issue is not merely technical, but is also being used as a tool of political pressure.

Although Euphrates water levels remain high and flood impacts are expected to continue in the coming days, residents are demanding the formation of committees to assess damages, allocate compensation budgets for affected people, and urgently repair damaged infrastructure.

ANHA