Ataturk Dam record Euphrates flood, emergency in east Syria
Ataturk Dam releases reach 2400 m³ per second.. Euphrates flood isolates areas in Deir Ezzor and state of emergency in eastern Syria
Wide areas along the Euphrates River in eastern Syria are witnessing escalating emergency measures, as water levels continue to rise in the governorates of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa, with official authorities and residents taking urgent action to limit damage and secure the population and vital facilities.
The field developments coincided with ongoing warnings about flood risks and infrastructure disruption, while technical authorities confirm that main dams remain within safe limits and face no structural risks so far.
According to local data and media reports, Turkish authorities carried out water releases from the Ataturk Dam after the reservoir filled due to heavy rainfall in the region during the current season, with the spillway gates opened for the first time in about seven years.
Turkey: Ataturk Dam releases are controlled
Turkish reports indicated that the amount of water released from Turkish dams ranged between 2000 and 2400 cubic meters per second, compared to average rates of around 300 cubic meters per second in recent years, leading to a rapid rise in Euphrates water levels inside Syrian territory.
Turkish sources confirmed that the water releases came in a “controlled” manner due to rising dam reserves after the rainy season, and not due to any technical malfunction or emergency in the water facilities.
التركي فتح سد أتاتورك وإغرق قرى دير الزور ..#دير_الزور_تغرق pic.twitter.com/0ccsHXmwYf
— المشهد العالمي🌐 (@Machhad517) May 28, 2026
Government emergency and evacuation operations in Deir Ezzor
In response, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced the mobilization of several concerned formations and departments in Deir Ezzor governorate, in coordination with the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, following the sharp rise in Euphrates water levels.
The ministry stated that specialized teams are carrying out evacuation operations and raising earthen berms in a number of areas and villages, with continued movement of military assets that can be used to support response efforts.
Syrian media also reported that Deir Ezzor and Raqqa governorates are witnessing an unprecedented state of emergency, which has pushed service institutions to take urgent precautionary measures, including disconnecting electricity lines threatened by flooding and the shutdown of some water stations.
In the same context, the Deir Ezzor Emergency and Disaster Management Committee announced the immediate evacuation of residents of the Hweijet Sakr and Hweijet Qatea areas, calling on residents to follow instructions issued by emergency teams to avoid any potential human losses.
Crossing collapse and mobility disruption between Deir Ezzor’s two banks
With increasing water flow, an earthen bridge and another makeshift military bridge, built in recent years as temporary solutions instead of destroyed bridges, collapsed, causing the disruption of movement between the “Shamiya” and “Jazeera” areas in Deir Ezzor city.
Ferry and boat traffic also stopped due to high waves and dangerous navigation conditions, with the nearest usable bridge now tens of kilometers away from the city, according to local testimonies.
Local residents say the mobility crisis has resurfaced the reality of damaged infrastructure in eastern Syria, especially since most of the Euphrates bridges were destroyed during military operations in the region in 2017, while subsequent repair work was limited to temporary solutions that did not withstand the current water pressure.
A number of residents spoke of daily difficulties in accessing basic services, hospitals, workplaces, and schools, with continued suspension of crossings between the two banks of the river.
Official reassurance regarding dams and continuous monitoring of the river course
Despite rising water levels, Syrian technical authorities confirmed that the Tishreen, Tabqa, and Mansoura dams remain within safe operating limits.
Haitham Bakour, Director General of the Euphrates Dam Foundation, said that the water situation on the Euphrates River course is currently experiencing relative stability, noting that the rate of water passage from the Kdeiran Dam is about 1800 cubic meters per second.
He added that current indicators for the coming days do not show significant changes in discharge or water levels, with continuous technical monitoring along the river course.
Bakour indicated that teams from the Euphrates Dam Foundation continue coordination with relevant authorities and emergency teams to maintain technical readiness and ensure the safety of water facilities and proper regulation of discharges.
Syrian Ministry of Energy and relevant authorities also called on residents to avoid approaching the river course or swimming during this period, especially as water levels are expected to continue rising in some areas.
To assess the situation in the governorate, President Ahmed Al-Shara arrived in Deir Ezzor governorate to meet with residents and the governor of Deir Ezzor, as part of following up on the repercussions of the current situation and the emergency response file in the governorate.
Drowning victims and warnings of expanding humanitarian impact
On the humanitarian side, the number of drowning victims related to the rising Euphrates water levels has risen to seven people, including six children, according to local data.
Emergency teams continue monitoring and evacuation operations in low-lying areas near the river course, amid fears of water spreading towards residential neighborhoods and agricultural lands.
As the crisis continues, demands are escalating from residents for launching projects to rehabilitate the Euphrates bridges and infrastructure in Deir Ezzor and Raqqa, as these are essential files related to population movement and daily services.
Iraq reassures regarding the coming wave of water via the Euphrates
Regionally, Iraqi Minister of Water Resources Muthanna Al-Tamimi announced that the Haditha Dam in Anbar province is capable of handling the wave of water coming via the Euphrates River without concerning impacts.
Al-Tamimi’s statements came during a visit he made to the Haditha Dam project management to follow up on water releases coming from Syria and the technical procedures taken to regulate water discharges and secure facilities near the river course.
The visit included a meeting that brought together dam administration officials, security and administrative leaders to discuss mechanisms for dealing with the water wave and ensuring the safety of surrounding areas.
Read also:
