Teams from the Syrian Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management continue emergency response operations in Deir Ezzor and Raqqa governorates following May 30 visits from a presidential delegation after dangerous increase in the Euphrates River’s water levels.
The efforts are being coordinated through a joint emergency operations room which includes relevant ministries, local authorities and governorates. Officials say the objective is to limit damage, protect civilians and maintain the operation of essential infrastructure.
In Deir Ezzor governorate, field teams have implemented a series of preventive measures reducing the risk of flooding. These efforts include raising and reinforcing earthen berms to protect residential neighborhoods and agricultural land threatened by rising waters.
Teams also completed a 500-meter earthen berm around the water station in the town of Gharanij and reinforced sections of the riverbank to shield the facility from potential flood damage. Similar work took place at the water station in Dhiban, where crews strengthened and extended protective berms by approximately 300 meters.
Additional interventions included reinforcing barriers around the Busayrah station and constructing two 100-meter berms to protect water facilities in Muhaymidah and Junaynah. Emergency teams also built a protective barrier around an agricultural irrigation station in the village of Hasrat.
Protecting Infrastructure and Maintaining Services
Authorities continue efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure across affected areas. In Deir Ezzor, ministry teams work for the fifth consecutive day to reinforce Asharah Bridge in order to ensure traffic can continue safely. At the same time, emergency services are focusing on maintaining access to medical and humanitarian assistance.
Three ambulance crossing points continue operating along the Euphrates, transporting patients and humanitarian cases between the river’s two banks after rising waters disrupted bridge access. According to the ministry, ambulance teams transported 80 humanitarian cases and 14 emergency medical cases since the response began.
Coordinated Action in Raqqa
In neighboring Raqqa governorate, ministry teams coordinated with the Directorate of Technical Services, the Directorate of Water Resources and the Raqqa City Council to protect key water infrastructure.
Crews raised the level of the road leading to the Ghanim al-Uli pumping station and constructed earthen berms around the facility, reducing the risk of flood damage. Officials said these measures are intended to ensure the continued operation of water services if river levels continue to rise.
The Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management stated its teams remain on high alert and continue monitoring conditions along the entire course of the Euphrates River. Authorities said they are prepared to take additional measures as needed to protect residents, public infrastructure and private property.
For several days, communities along the Euphrates in Deir Ezzor and Raqqa experienced elevated water levels, prompting emergency teams, civil defense units and local authorities to increase preparedness measures. These efforts include monitoring vulnerable areas, reinforcing flood defenses and carrying out evacuations when necessary to reduce potential losses and protect local residents.
