Civil defense teams from Syria arrived in the city of Al-Hasakah in northeastern Syria on Wednesday, coming from various provinces to support response efforts that have been underway for three days in the governorate, which is experiencing flash floods after prolonged drought.
The flooding of the Khabour River in the areas of Al-Yarubiyah and Tal Hamis in the Al-Hasakah countryside has caused some sections of the international road to be cut off, with water reaching neighborhoods such as Al-Meridian, Gweiran in Al-Hasakah, and the Al-Hamr neighborhood in Tal Tamr. Additionally, the flood has raised water levels in the Jaqjaq River, which runs through the city center, to the maximum limits of the riverbed. This marks the third flood event in two weeks, following years of drought in the two rivers and their tributaries, which have now seen water flow again.
Event Details
The Kurdish news agency Hawar reported that more than 500 families have evacuated their homes from areas near the Khabour River, particularly in the Al-Hamr, Al-Meridian, and Gweiran neighborhoods. In this context, the Director of the Syrian Civil Defense, Munir Mustafa, discussed the flood response plan with the governor of Al-Hasakah, Nour al-Din Ahmed.
According to the Ministry of Emergency, the civil defense director conducted a field tour in the governorate accompanied by response team leaders to assess the damages and needs resulting from the heavy rains and the flooding of the Khabour River and its tributaries, while monitoring the teams' work to ensure the safety of civilians and their properties. Meteorological authorities have warned of a low-pressure system and rainstorm affecting all regions of Syria from Wednesday to Friday.
Background & Context
Sources indicate that the amount of rainfall received is within normal limits; however, the succession of low-pressure systems has saturated the soil with water, increasing the likelihood of flash floods with each heavy rainfall. Approximately 120 teams are responding around the clock in various areas. Although the Ministry of Emergency is still in the process of establishing a directorate in Al-Hasakah, its teams have been operating in the Al-Hasakah countryside for three days at full capacity, responding to about 50 reports in the Al-Yarubiyah and Tal Hamis areas.
Efforts are underway to open drainage channels, raise earthen barriers, pump water from homes, rescue stranded vehicles, evacuate families from waterlogged homes, and respond to cases of collapsed houses and buildings. Regarding the extent of the damage, the Media and Communication Administration reported preliminary estimates indicating that over 300 families and more than 120 homes have been affected, with assessment operations still ongoing.
Impact & Consequences
Response operations are being coordinated with all Syrian government institutions in Al-Hasakah, United Nations organizations operating in Syria, the International Red Cross, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and the Kurdish Red Crescent. A broad meeting was held at the Al-Hasakah governorate headquarters, attended by the governor and a delegation from UN offices and humanitarian organizations, where the situation in the flood-affected areas and the conditions of the camps were discussed, along with ways to support the return of displaced persons.
The status of the Alouk water station and proposed solutions for its reactivation were also discussed. The governor of Al-Hasakah has called for urgent assistance to be provided to those affected. The Ministry of Emergency reported via its Telegram channel that civil defense teams have arrived in Al-Hasakah and immediately commenced field operations in coordination with ministry personnel in the city and its countryside.
Regional Significance
The rainstorm has caused extensive water pools to form in streets and squares, alongside flooding in the northern, southern, and western rural areas of Al-Hasakah, leading to significant material damage, especially in areas close to riverbeds. Al-Hasakah and the broader Syrian regions have suffered from a severe drought wave lasting for years, resulting in devastating losses in agriculture and livestock, in addition to a crisis in drinking water availability.
These conditions require a swift response from the relevant authorities, as the floods pose a significant challenge to humanitarian efforts in the region, highlighting the urgent need to improve infrastructure to cope with natural disasters.