AANES-related council in Raqqa warns of using Euphrates water directly
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, Environmental Affairs Bureau of Raqqa Civil Council warned locals against the direct use of the Euphrates water, saying it is contaminated with germs and bacteria.
The warning of the Raqqa Civil Council, affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), came amid rapid increase in the cholera cases recently recorded in northeast Syria.
On September 10, Health Board of the AANES stated that the recorded cholera cases in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa were caused by water contamination.
Muhammad al-Ibrahim, Head of the Environmental Affairs Bureau in Raqqa said the Euphrates water cannot be used for drinking or any other uses directly.
Al-Ibrahim told North Press, “The Euphrates water cannot be used for drinking or for other needs due bacteria and germs.”
The unprecedented low levels of water caused contaminations making water sterilization and desalination before being used by locals a necessity, according to al-Ibrahim.
Warnings made by the Bureau coincide with recording cholera cases in areas on the banks of the Euphrates River due to drinking contaminated water.
On September 13, Health Committee in Deir ez-Zor Civil Council recorded 184 cholera infections and three deaths of elderly people.
On September 12, Hassan al-Jirjib, Director of Water Bureau in Raqqa said they increased their watching and water sterilization efforts after the pandemic was recorded in areas in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor.