Syria warns Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor residents of Euphrates flooding

Evacuation order issued

Syria's Emergency and Disaster Management Ministry on Monday warned residents of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor provinces to prepare for severe flooding along the Euphrates River, urging immediate evacuation of low-lying areas near the riverbanks. The ministry said discharge from the Euphrates Dam had been increased to 1,500 cubic meters per second, a volume that could drive water levels more than two meters above normal.

Rising water levels

Officials cautioned that additional water flow may raise river levels by one meter in coming hours, creating dangerous conditions for riverside communities. Residents were told to relocate families, livestock and equipment to safe areas immediately and follow instructions from local authorities.

Strategic river basin

Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor lie along the Euphrates River basin in northern and eastern Syria, one of the country's most critical agricultural zones. The region supports extensive farming operations dependent on controlled water flows, making the sudden discharge increase threatening to both civilian safety and food production.