A new reduction in the flow of the Euphrates. "Energy" Releases Shrink 100 m³/s
The Ministry of Energy announced the start of reducing the amount of water flowing through the Euphrates River in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor governorates.
The ministry said on Friday, May 29, that this came after the success of the efforts and follow-ups conducted by the Syrian leadership with the Turkish side, which resulted in the start of reducing water imports coming from Turkey towards Syrian territory to control floods or excessive rise in levels.
The technical staff at the Euphrates Dam Corporation have begun to take operational measures to contribute to the gradual reduction of water levels.
The measures included reducing water passes through the dam by 100 cubic meters per second as a first stage through the partial closure of the overflow gate No. 3, with expectations that the reduction will continue in the coming days until the situation returns to normal in the governorates of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor.
Ankara to reduce Euphrates River releases starting Sunday
The Ministry of Energy had earlier confirmed that Syria had been informed by Turkey of its intention to reduce water releases through the Euphrates River as of next Sunday evening, according to the director of the ministry's information department, Abdulhamid Salat.
He did not specify the baskets of quantities that Turkey will reduce, considering thatthe ministry dealt with what it described as the "exceptional situation" according to the "available" technical data and in continuous coordination with the Turkish and Iraqi sides.
Slat told the state-run SANA news agency on Friday, May 29, that the Euphrates Dam General Corporation received a Turkish notification last Friday of the increase in water releases as a result of heavy rains and the rise in the stock of dams, explaining that water reached Syrian territory in less than 24 hours, which called for an immediate response to protect water facilities and pumping stations.
Slatt indicated that the ministry informed the Iraqi side from the first moment of the quantities of water passing through the Euphrates Dam overflow, as on Saturday, the gates of the overflow were opened and about 1000 cubic meters per second were passed, with the expectation that these flows will reach Iraq within 4 to 5 days, allowing the Iraqi authorities to take the necessary precautions.
He added that the Iraqi side was informed again on Tuesday of the increase in passes to about 1800 cubic meters per second as a result of the increase in water imports and the increase in the stock of the Euphrates Lake, pointing out that technical communication with the Turkish side has continued during the past days to follow up on the developments of the water intake.
Presidential visit to Deir Ezzor
In the context of the direct official follow-up of the crisis, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa visited the city of Deir Ezzor on Friday afternoon on a field tour, during which he inspected the situation on the ground, the progress of evacuation and relief operations, and supervised the coordination between various ministries and local committees to overcome the material effects left by the water.
The visit came after Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed Al-Saleh conducted a night inspection tour of the most flood-affected points in the province.
5,000 dunums damaged and water floods "Hawija Sakr"
On the ground, before the gradual decline began, the crisis culminated with the entry and flow of river water into the Hawija Sakr area of Deir Ezzor, where local sources reported that water began to flow from Corniche Street amid fears that it would be completely submerged.
The Syrian Al-Ekhbariya channel quoted the governor of Deir Ezzor, Ziad al-Ayish, as saying that 60 water stations were completely or partially out of service as a result of the rise in the level of the Euphrates River.
He added that more than 5,000 dunums of agricultural land have been damaged by water inundation in a number of areas, pointing out that the emergency response committee and operations room in the governorate have been activated around the clock to follow up on developments and deal with the damages.
The governor pointed out that precautionary evacuation of high-risk areas has been implemented, and shelters have been secured and water stations have been supported by mechanisms, stressing that work is being done to build the "Al-Siyasiya" bridge and another bridge soon.
Restart 5 Water Plants
The Ministry of Energy stated that it was able to gradually return 10 main drinking water stations to service in Deir Ezzor, including the following stations: Al-Zubari, Mahakan, Sabkhan and Ayyash, after securing their surroundings with berms.
To ensure that there is no interruption of water, the Ministry launched a service support campaign in which water and sanitation companies from various Syrian governorates participated, which marched convoys of drinking water tankers that began to arrive in Deir Ezzor to secure alternative and sufficient water sources for the population.