Flash floods kill three, displace hundreds in northwest Syria

Severe flash floods have struck northwestern Syria, resulting in at least three fatalities and displacing hundreds of families. The disaster, caused by intense rainfall from Saturday through Sunday, has created significant humanitarian challenges in provinces including Idlib and Latakia, according to Syria's Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management.

Casualties and immediate impact

The ministry confirmed that two children died after being swept away by floodwaters in the Turkman Mountain area of rural Latakia. In a separate incident, a volunteer from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent was killed and five others were injured in a traffic accident while their team was en route to assist flood-affected communities. Initial assessments indicate that floodwaters completely submerged dozens of homes across several villages.

Damage to camps and critical infrastructure

The flooding has heavily impacted already vulnerable communities, with 22 displacement camps west of Idlib reported damaged. The inundation was so severe that it forced the emergency evacuation of patients, medical staff, and incubators from the Ain al-Bayda Hospital in the Kharbat al-Jawz area. Authorities have established temporary shelters in local schools to accommodate those displaced from their homes.

Ongoing response efforts

Relief operations are underway, with authorities distributing emergency supplies to families taking refuge in temporary shelters like the al-Rahma School. The ministry stated that over 650 families saw their homes destroyed, while more than 1,300 sustained partial damage. The floods exacerbate existing hardships in a region that has long relied on humanitarian aid due to the ongoing conflict.