Iraq monitors Euphrates after Syria warns of possible flood wave

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources said Monday it had not recorded any sudden or unusual rise in Euphrates River levels following Syrian warnings of possible flooding, while mobilizing technical staff to receive additional flows and direct them toward strategic reserves.

Syria’s Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management earlier Monday warned of possible flooding in the provinces of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, with water levels potentially exceeding two meters above normal after discharge from the Euphrates Dam was increased to 1,500 cubic meters per second.

Iraq’s ministry said Minister Muthanna al-Tamimi had instructed operational staff to prepare to receive incoming water waves, and that coordination with Syrian authorities was ongoing. Any expected increase in inflows would be directed toward Haditha Dam, which recorded low storage levels last season, and used to secure Iraq’s summer water supply.