The Syrian government has launched an emergency response after rising water levels in the Euphrates River knocked dozens of water stations out of service and flooded thousands of hectares of farmland in the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor .
At least 60 water stations have been partially or completely disabled, while more than 5,000 dunams of agricultural land have been submerged, according to local authorities, raising concerns over worsening humanitarian and economic impacts.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the province on Friday alongside senior ministers to assess the damage and oversee response efforts. During meetings with local dignitaries, he discussed the fallout from the flooding and measures being taken to contain it, as well as broader service and development challenges facing the region.
The surge in water levels has affected large stretches along the Euphrates in both Deir ez-Zor and neighbouring Raqqa province, disrupting essential infrastructure and threatening further damage if flows continue at current rates.
Deir ez-Zor governor Ziad al-Ayesh said an emergency response committee and round-the-clock operations room had been activated to monitor developments. Authorities have carried out precautionary evacuations in high-risk areas and set up temporary shelters, while deploying equipment to support damaged water stations.
Officials also announced plans to begin construction of new bridges, including the long-discussed al-Siyasiya bridge, in a bid to improve infrastructure and mobility in the province.
Raed al-Saleh, minister of emergency and disaster management, said the scale of damage in Deir ez-Zor exceeded that recorded in Raqqa. He acknowledged that Syria previously lacked an effective early warning system, adding that efforts are now underway to develop one capable of delivering timely alerts to residents.
Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir said Turkey had issued late warnings about rising water levels, describing the current water releases into Syria as unprecedented in the past three decades.
However, the Syrian Ministry of Energy said coordination with Ankara had led to a reduction in water inflows via the Euphrates. Technical teams at the Euphrates Dam have already reduced discharge by 100 cubic metres per second through partial closure of one spillway gate, with further gradual reductions expected in the coming days.
In the health sector, authorities have mobilised medical teams and dispatched emergency supplies to affected areas. Health Minister Musab al-Ali said hospitals west of the river remain better equipped, while temporary medical points have been established on the eastern bank, where services are more limited.
He also announced the rehabilitation of a key cardiac hospital in Deir ez-Zor, part of broader efforts to strengthen the province’s strained healthcare system.
Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwaidan said field teams had begun assessing damage to crops, irrigation networks and farmland, with plans to support affected farmers. Emergency measures include providing livestock feed, veterinary medicines and technical assistance, alongside efforts to protect vulnerable agricultural areas.
The government says it is coordinating across ministries to contain the crisis, assess losses and compensate those affected. Officials are also monitoring dams and irrigation systems to prevent further flooding and safeguard nearby communities.