Severe flooding causes deaths and infrastructure damage in Syria and Iraq

Heavy rainfall has triggered devastating floods across parts of Syria and Iraq, resulting in fatalities and significant infrastructure damage.

In Syria, intense downpours in the Deir ez-Zor province and the Latakia region have caused bridges to collapse and homes to be submerged. In the Abu Kemal district of Deir ez-Zor, the collapse of the Suwayyiyah Bridge led to the death of one person. In Latakia’s Bayırbucak area, flooding of the North Great River destroyed a bridge connecting local villages. Authorities in both regions are monitoring water levels and working to restore electricity and transportation.

In Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, flooding has claimed one life, and a five-year-old child is reported missing after being swept away by floodwaters. The flooding has inundated numerous vehicles, businesses, and residential neighborhoods. In response, Erbil Governor Ümit Hoşnav announced a one-day closure of all educational institutions, from kindergartens to universities, to ensure public safety. Additionally, electricity authorities have implemented temporary power cuts in certain flooded areas to prevent electrical hazards.