Emergency teams intensify response as Euphrates rises
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Emergency and disaster response teams continued field operations in the governorates of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa amid a rapid rise in water levels in the Euphrates River, increasing risks to residential neighborhoods, infrastructure, and agricultural land along both riverbanks.
The Syrian Civil Defense said in a statement published Friday on its official channel that emergency teams were operating continuously through a joint operations room that includes the Ministries of Emergency, Health, Defense, Interior, and Social Affairs, in coordination with the governorates of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, to contain the impact of the rising water and protect residents and vital facilities.
In Deir ez-Zor, engineering teams carried out reinforcement work on al-Asharah Bridge by filling its sides with rubble and installing concrete barriers to reduce soil erosion, in addition to strengthening the bridge’s structural supports to maintain traffic movement across it.
Emergency teams also raised earthen berms around eight water stations, including the 17 April stations in Huwayjat Saqr, al-Turaif, al-Misrab, al-Zawiyah, Hatla 1, al-Sukkariyah, al-Kubar, and al-Sa’wah, aiming to protect the facilities from flooding and ensure continued water pumping to residents.
On the humanitarian side, rescue teams saved two young men who nearly drowned near al-Siyasiyah Bridge while swimming. The two were transported to safe areas after receiving medical assistance.
The Civil Defense added that three emergency medical points equipped with rescue boats, divers, and ambulances had been deployed along the river to facilitate the transfer of patients and emergency cases between the two banks of the Euphrates. Five emergency cases were transferred between the Shamiyah and al-Jazeera areas during the past hours, according to the statement.
Teams also conducted field visits in the Huwayjat Saqr neighborhood to evacuate homes threatened by rising water levels, although some residents have so far refused to leave their houses.
In Raqqa governorate, response teams continued building earthen berms in threatened areas, including a 150-meter barrier in Huwayjat Zahra, 50 meters in Huwayjat al-Anoun, 75 meters in Huwayjat Badr, and another 100-meter barrier in Huwayjat al-Hamad to limit the spread of water toward farmland and populated areas.
The teams also completed a 120-meter earthen barrier to protect the drinking water filtration station in Hawi al-Hawa and ensure uninterrupted operations.
The measures come as the Euphrates River recorded a significant rise in water levels during recent hours after water releases from the dam reached approximately 1,600 cubic meters per second.