Heavy rainfall across northern and eastern Syria has resulted in at least five deaths, according to the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management. The severe weather, which has persisted for two days, has caused widespread infrastructure damage and prompted emergency evacuations.
Casualties and Ongoing Search Efforts
The fatalities include four children who drowned in separate incidents across the Raqqa and Deir Az Zor governorates. Additionally, a man died after his vehicle was caught in floodwaters near the al-Salmani Bridge in western Raqqa. Authorities report that five other individuals, including two children, remain missing as rescue operations continue.
Infrastructure Damage and Displacement
The flooding has severely impacted transportation and housing in the Aleppo, Raqqa, Deir Az Zor, Hasakah, and Homs provinces. The collapse of the al-Salmani Bridge has severed the primary road connection between Raqqa and Aleppo. Emergency teams have successfully rescued 15 civilians from trapped vehicles and evacuated approximately 375 families from camps on the outskirts of Raqqa.
This event follows a series of climate-related challenges in the region; earlier this year, UNICEF reported that flooding had displaced hundreds of families and disrupted critical water treatment infrastructure in the affected governorates.
