Expected shortage in irrigation water in Syria’s Raqqa
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – An official in Raqqa’s Agriculture and Irrigation Board predicted on Monday a shortage in securing irrigation water for crops in 2024, due to Turkey’s ongoing withholding of the Euphrates River water.
Sheikh Nabi Khalil, an official at the Irrigation Office in Raqqa’s Agriculture and Irrigation Board, affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), said that in 2024, they would only meet 50 percent of the agricultural needs compared to 2023.
In a statement to North Press, Khalil attributed the reason to the scarcity of water supply from Turkish territory and the “record-low levels” of the reservoirs.
Since February 2020, Turkey has been withholding water of the Euphrates River, causing an unprecedented decrease in water levels. This has had severe consequences, including an environmental and humanitarian crisis, as well as a shortage of water in reservoirs present in AANES-held areas.
The water levels in the Lakes of Assad and Tishrin have considerably declined, reaching a critically low point that hinders the proper functioning of the dams. The vertical decrease in water level has reached six meters, raising concerns about the dams approaching a state where they can no longer operate.
As a result of the water shortage, the Euphrates and Tishrin dams have been operating at reduced capacity recently.
The Irrigation Office has encountered various challenges, including unauthorized use of irrigation canals, and farmers not following the agricultural plan suggested by the office, according to the official.