Flooding hits Syria as Euphrates River level rises

Syria's Energy Ministry warned that water levels on the Euphrates River were rising after flooding hit northern and eastern parts of the country, following increased flows from north and recent rainfall.

The ministry said it was closely monitoring the Euphrates after what it described as a "significant and unprecedented increase in water flows from the north."

Water authorities in Deir Ezzor, Raqa and Aleppo provinces announced a "state of emergency" as officials moved to take precautionary measures against further flooding.

Syrian state news agency SANA reported flooding across urban and rural areas of Deir Ezzor province, where an earthen bridge was submerged as water levels continued to climb.

Several bridges in Deir Ezzor were reported out of service because of the flooding, which also affected farmland and homes, while neighboring Raqa province also saw flood damage.

Turkish local media, quoting the regional water authority, reported "controlled water releases" from the Ataturk Dam after water levels rose following heavy rainfall in recent months.

Damascus said storage capacity at Syria's Euphrates Dam was almost full, making it necessary to keep releasing large amounts of water.