Ankara informs Damascus of reducing Euphrates River releases on Sunday evening
The Ministry of Energy revealed that Ankara has informed Damascus that water releases through the Euphrates River will begin to decrease starting next Sunday evening, which will be reflected in a gradual reduction in the quantities of water passing through the Euphrates Dam and the decline in levels along the river.
The director of the ministry's information department, Abdul Hamid Salat, told the state-run SANA news agency on Friday, May 29, that the Euphrates Dam General Organization 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 the water reached Syrian territory in less than 24 hours, which called for an immediate response to protect water facilities and pumping stations.
He added that the ministry dealt with the exceptional situation according to the "available" technical data and in continuous coordination with the Turkish and Iraqi sides.
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.
The flooding of 1500 dunums and houses in the village of Mahukiya
The Directorate of Agriculture of Raqqa announced that the areas flooded in the village of Al-Mahukiya in the western countryside of the governorate are estimated at about 1500 dunums initially, as a result of the rise in the level of the Euphrates River.
Saleh al-Hajj, director of the media office in the district, explained that the damage affected agricultural lands and parts of the residential area, including a number of houses, noting that the residents took the initiative to construct earthen berms to protect the undamaged houses, amid calls for the intervention of the emergency committee to strengthen these berms.
Ministry of Defense pushes boats to support evacuations
The naval forces at the Ministry of Defense pushed a number of boats and boats to Deir Ezzor province to contribute to the evacuation and transportation operations between the two banks of the Euphrates, following the sharp rise in the water level.
This comes as part of the state of alert announced by the Ministry in coordination with the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, in support of local efforts to face the repercussions of the floods.
Several areas along the banks of the Euphrates River in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor governorates have been witnessing a significant rise in the water level for days, which has caused damage to about 2400 families in Deir Ezzor, amid the continuation of response work and raising readiness by emergency teams, civil defense and local authorities, and the implementation of preventive measures and evacuation operations when necessary to reduce losses.
Postponement of practical exams at Al-Furat University
The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Marwan Al-Halabi, announced on Friday the postponement of practical exams in the faculties of Euphrates University, which were scheduled to be held after the Eid al-Adha holiday, in light of the current developments and circumstances related to the rise in the level of the Euphrates River.
The minister explained that the decision came in order to ensure the safety of students and educational staff, pointing out that the practical sessions during the coming period will be postponed to a date to be determined later according to the developments.
Al-Halabi pointed out that an alternative reserve plan has been developed for the next phase at the level of colleges and institutes affiliated with Al-Furat University, in order to ensure the continuity of the educational process and maintain the safety of students and workers.
The minister pointed out that the ministry has asked university volunteer teams to participate in relief work, in coordination with the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management and the presidency of Al-Furat University, in support of the people in the affected areas, especially in Deir Ezzor province.