Syria warns Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor of rising Euphrates water levels

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management warned residents of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor on Friday that water released from the Qaddura Dam on the Turkish border into the Euphrates River will be increased gradually starting Saturday, raising river levels downstream. The ministry said the discharge rate will be raised from 600 cubic meters per second to 800 cubic meters per second, citing Energy Ministry data. Officials urged residents to stay away from the riverbed and low-lying areas at risk of flooding. The ministry also called on families to keep children away from the riverbank, move agricultural equipment to safe, elevated locations, and avoid river crossings. It advised residents to follow official warnings and updates. Separately, Syria's Energy Ministry said the General Directorate of the Euphrates Dam decided to raise the discharge after the volume of water arriving from Turkey exceeded 1,200 cubic meters per second continuously for ten days. The ministry said the high inflow is expected to continue through the end of the month.