Heavy floods on the Euphrates are destroying Syrian villages and fields, and children have also lost their lives. Authorities face criticism for late warning and dealing with extensive damage.
Heavy flooding caused by the rising Euphrates River in Syria has driven hundreds of families from their homes and claimed several lives, including children. TASR writes about it according to the report of the DPA agency.
Local officials said on Friday that one man had drowned in Raqqa province. They added that four children were killed in the neighboring province of Deir ez-Zour, swept away by the strong current of the Euphrates River. At the same time, Syrian authorities reported that the floods there damaged approximately 24,000 hectares of agricultural land, 265 government buildings and about 60 civilian facilities.
Dams in a state of crisis
The floods are the result of unusually heavy rains in the region, including neighboring Turkey.
Due to extremely high water levels in dams in the region, especially Turkey’s Atatürk Dam, Turkish authorities have had to release huge amounts of water in a controlled manner. To avoid overloading their own facilities, Syrian operators also opened the floodgates on their dams.
Accusation of delay
The water level then suddenly rose and flooded extensive sections of the river banks. Syrian Energy Minister Muhammad Bashir accused Turkish authorities that Syrian authorities received news of the rising water level of the Euphrates River too late.
Meanwhile, interim Syrian President Ahmad Shara visited the affected areas to assess the damage and humanitarian needs, state news agency SANA reported.
The general director of the Euphrates dam told DPA that the water level should drop within two days. Turkey has since closed its floodgates.
