Jil Agha and Zakhira Dams on the Brink of complete dryness
The Canton of Jazira is facing an unprecedented environmental catastrophe, as the Jil Agha and Zakhira Dams are on the verge of completely drying up due to scarce rainfall and the drying up of springs, under the influence of severe climate change and unprecedented conditions. This foretells an environmental and agricultural disaster.
Alian area, in the countryside of the cities of Girke Legi and Jil Agha in Jazira Canton, is faced with a growing environmental threat with the exacerbating drought crisis threatening the Jil Agha and Zakhira Dams, two of the most important water sources for the city of Jil Agha and its countryside in northeast Syria.
As a result of the absence of rain and drought during the winter of 2025, and the cutting off of spring water that fed the two dams, the water level of the Jal Agha Dam dropped to only 350 cubic meters, below the dead-end point of 500 cubic meters. While the Zakhira Dam is declining to 500 cubic meters, amid warnings of an ultimate drought within a few weeks.
In a special interview with ANHA's agency, Jaber Abdul Aziz Suleiman, Director of Water Resources at the Jil Agha Agriculture Foundation, referred to the two dams as the backbone of the region's agriculture. "Climate change, drying up of the springs, and the rapid evaporation of water because of the loss of vegetation cover are all the reasons that have brought us to this impending disaster," he stated.
Jaber added, "We previously witnessed the drying of Jil Agha Dam in 1990, but rains saved it at that time. Now, with the absence of rain and drying of the springs, the chances of the dam's salvation are very few this summer."
He described that the drying of the dam poses a threat to its core and structure, leading to cracks in its core. It is a very serious hazard in the event of heavy rainfall or flash flooding next winter.
Despite local initiatives, such as efforts by the Agriculture Committee to reforest and transform the area around Jal Agha Dam into a nature reserve called Azadi, and the planting of 600 trees this year, the crisis persists and requires further interventions to rescue the remaining water resources in the region.
T/S
ANHA
Jil Agha and Zakhira Dams on the Brink of complete dryness
Alian area, in the countryside of the cities of Girke Legi and Jil Agha in Jazira Canton, is faced with a growing environmental threat with the exacerbating drought crisis threatening the Jil Agha and Zakhira Dams, two of the most important water sources for the city of Jil Agha and its countryside in northeast Syria.
As a result of the absence of rain and drought during the winter of 2025, and the cutting off of spring water that fed the two dams, the water level of the Jal Agha Dam dropped to only 350 cubic meters, below the dead-end point of 500 cubic meters. While the Zakhira Dam is declining to 500 cubic meters, amid warnings of an ultimate drought within a few weeks.
In a special interview with ANHA's agency, Jaber Abdul Aziz Suleiman, Director of Water Resources at the Jil Agha Agriculture Foundation, referred to the two dams as the backbone of the region's agriculture. "Climate change, drying up of the springs, and the rapid evaporation of water because of the loss of vegetation cover are all the reasons that have brought us to this impending disaster," he stated.
Jaber added, "We previously witnessed the drying of Jil Agha Dam in 1990, but rains saved it at that time. Now, with the absence of rain and drying of the springs, the chances of the dam's salvation are very few this summer."
He described that the drying of the dam poses a threat to its core and structure, leading to cracks in its core. It is a very serious hazard in the event of heavy rainfall or flash flooding next winter.
Despite local initiatives, such as efforts by the Agriculture Committee to reforest and transform the area around Jal Agha Dam into a nature reserve called Azadi, and the planting of 600 trees this year, the crisis persists and requires further interventions to rescue the remaining water resources in the region.
T/S
ANHA
