Anbar says Euphrates rose more than 2 meters in western areas

ANBAR, Iraq — The Anbar administration said on Friday that the Euphrates River had risen by more than 2 meters in the western part of the province. Government spokesman Muayyad al-Dulaimi said the increase was caused by higher water releases and that water conditions remained stable. Al-Dulaimi said the amount of water flowing into the river was about 1,450 cubic meters per second and that the level had risen by 2 meters and 41 centimeters. He said the rise in water levels had taken some old temporary bridges out of service. Among the affected crossings were the Beyda Bridge linking Qaim and Rummaneh, and the Huwaija Bridge linking Qaim to the Hujaylat al-Karabila area. Municipal teams were still working in the field, and a 7-kilometer road was opened between Samma and Beyda villages to replace the Beyda Bridge. Al-Dulaimi urged residents to avoid swimming in the Euphrates and stay away from the riverbank because of the strong current.