Visible cracks and fissures in the body of Al-Baqar Dam, located near the towns of Muhaymeeda and Safira Tahtani in western Deir Ezzor countryside, have raised significant fears among residents of a potential dam collapse or water flooding, especially in light of the heavy rainfall the area is experiencing.
In this context, these fears are increasing due to the possibility of damage to homes, agricultural lands, and villages located downstream of the dam, threatening the safety of residents and their property. Hamad Al-Ali, the mayor of Safira Tahtani, clarified that the area includes the Al-Baqar and Al-Room collection dams, which were established more than 35 years ago without undergoing maintenance works.
For his part, Al-Ali pointed out that the governorate has been contacted on this matter more than once, explaining that the required maintenance works include repairing closure gates, assigning staff to monitor water levels and control discharge to relieve pressure on the dam, in addition to reinforcing its body with embankments. He also warned citizen Muhammad Al-Bashir from Muhaymeeda of the possibility of inundating large areas of agricultural land and damaging hundreds of homes in case of dam flooding, recalling what happened in 2019.
Al-Bashir added the importance of clearing drainage channels, repairing damaged structures, and reinforcing the retaining wall, while citizen Youssef Hussein Al-Saleem pointed out that approximately 400 homes are located in the village opposite the dam within the water storage area, expressing residents' fears of suffering major damage. The dam is an important resource for the region, as it provides water for irrigating livestock and supporting pastoral activities, in addition to its role in enhancing groundwater recharge and mitigating the risks of flash floods.
In a previous step, the Water Resources Directorate in Deir Ezzor province carried out rehabilitation works for the Ma'izila Dam in the Badia Al-Bu Kamal area in Deir Ezzor near the Syrian-Iraqi border on September 30 last year, to address damages to the dam's body and restore its role in harvesting rainwater and floods.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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