Hasakah/Raqqa, Sept. 16 (SANA)Syria has stepped up preparations to reduce flood risks ahead of thewinter seasonas authorities increased water releases from theEuphrates Damto manage higher inflows through the river from the Turkish side.

The Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate in Hasakah has coordinated with the province’sWater ResourcesDirectorate on precautionary measures to improve rainwater andfloodwaterdrainage and raise readiness in areas vulnerable to flooding.

Director of the Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate Abdul Halim Shehab said specialized teams inspected sections of the Khabur River in Hasakah city to identify locations requiring cleaning and rehabilitation works.

He said the planned works aim to improve water flow, enhance drainage capacity and reduce the risk of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

Shehab added that preparations in rural areas include raising earth embankments and cleaning culverts, bridges and drainage channels, particularly in Tal Hamis and al-Yaarubiyah areas in the Qamishli countryside.

The measures also include monitoring rivers, waterways, bridges and drainage networks, identifying critical points and addressing potential blockages to protect residents, infrastructure and roads.

Euphrates Dam releases increased

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy announced that it opened spillway gate No. 6 at the Euphrates Dam and increased water releases to 1,100 cubic meters per second due to continued higher inflows through the Euphrates River from the Turkish side.

The ministry said the measure is part of an operational plan implemented by the General Establishment of Euphrates Dam to manage increased water inflows in a gradual and controlled manner while maintaining safe water levels and ensuring the operational safety of dams and related facilities.

It added that releases are scheduled to increase by another 100 cubic meters per second after one week, reaching 1,200 cubic meters per second, based on hydrological and operational data.

The ministry said technical and engineering teams are monitoring water inflows, reservoir levels and release rates around the clock in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency rooms in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces.

It urged residents living near the Euphrates River to exercise caution, avoid riverbanks and refrain from swimming due to increased water flow, rising levels and stronger currents.

The Ministry of Energy had announced on Sept. 13 that the General Establishment of Euphrates Dam would gradually increase releases from Kdeiran Dam to reach 1,100 cubic meters per second, with plans to raise the figure to 1,200 cubic meters per second and maintain that level until mid-October amid continued increases in incoming water.