Looming crisis | “Energy Board of the Euphrates region” decreases electricity operating hours, as Turkey continues to cut off water coming to Syria

Reliable sources have told SOHR that the “Energy Board of the Euphrates region” has adopted a new system of electricity rationing, decreasing the electricity operating hours in areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration, from Ain al-Arab (Kobani) and Sarin in Aleppo countryside to Ain Issa and Tel Abyad countryside in al-Raqqah countryside. According to the new system, these areas will experience power outages for 17 to 18 hours every day. Meanwhile, “Energy Board of the Euphrates region” has attributed the decrease in the electricity operating hours to the ongoing water retention by Turkey, as Turkey has decreased the amount of water pumped to Syria via the Euphrates river.

 

On the other hand, SOHR activists have reported that artesian wells have been dried, while the farmers in villages adjacent the river across Syria have sustained considerable losses, not to mention the damage to environment and livestock.

 

According to the agreement signed between Syria and Turkey in 1987 regarding the Euphrates River, Syria’s share of water coming from Turkey supposed to be 500 cubic meters per second (2500 barrels). However, less than 200 cubic meters of water now reaches Syria.

 

Yesterday, SOHR sources reported the suspension of the majority of electrical turbines on the Euphrates Dam in al-Raqqah province, as the river water levels dropped to unprecedented levels, due to the ongoing water retention by the Turkish side.

 

According to SOHR activists in the Syrian Jazeera region, the environmental crisis was worsening a day after another, due to the low level of water in the Euphrates River and the damage to livestock and agriculture in the region.

 

On April 22, SOHR sources reported that Turkey continued to reduce the flow of Euphrates river water run in its territory to Syria through its dams for the seventh month in a row, as SOHR sources monitored, in recent weeks and days, the decline of water level in the Euphrates River to unprecedented levels. Water levels dropped below the level of water pumps, which led to water cut off to new areas in al-Raqqah and Deir Ezzor provinces, as well as the cessation of power turbines and significant damage to livestock and agriculture in areas of the Syrian Jazeera region.

 

While on March 4, SOHR sources reported that the people and civil organizations raised the alarm about the dangers of the environmental and humanitarian crises since the Turkish side began to reduce the amount of water flowing from Turkish territory to the Euphrates River inside Syria, nearly six months earlier. Such crises threatened the areas of northern and eastern Syria, and negatively affect the availability of drinking water, electricity, the agricultural sector, and cause drought.

 

In addition, the negative impact on livestock due to the low level of the Euphrates River passing through Syria. These warnings have been ignored by the Turkish side, which has continued to date to close the gates that allow the Euphrates waters to cross into Syria, resulting in a very significant drop in the water level.

 

According to Syrian Observatory sources, the Euphrates water level has decreased from 325.20 cubic meters to 320.70 cubic meters, with a decrease of more than 4 cubic meters. The decrease in water level resulted in the drinking water pumps being put out of service in most areas, and affected the fisheries and the food security in the region in general.

 

According to international agreements, the amount of water flowing in the Euphrates river must be between 500 to 550 cubic meters per second, however, the water currently received is 200 cubic meters per second, a quarter of the agreed quantity.

 

SOHR warns of a humanitarian and environmental disaster in northern and eastern Syria, and calls on the United Nations, humanitarian organizations and international actors to exert pressure on the Turkish government to adhere to international agreements regarding the quantities of water agreed to be supplied to the Syrian side.