NEW WARNING — NOVEMBER 1, 2026. Syria’s Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management renewed an alert for heavy thunderstorms from the afternoon of Sunday, November 1, until early Monday, November 2, local time. The warning focuses on the Damascus and Homs Badia regions, with additional heavy showers possible in Hama, Homs, southern rural Aleppo, Raqqa and Hasakah. Forecasters also warned of hail, strong downdrafts and dust storms. SANA: ministry warning updated November 1.
This is a forecast for a new period of severe weather, not a new casualty assessment. The previous count of eight flood-related deaths and four missing people concerns the earlier October disaster. Authorities urged residents to avoid valleys and low-lying areas, never cross flooded roads and secure tents and loose property ahead of strong winds. SANA: initial severe weather warning, October 30.
Previous October floods and casualty updates
The following reporting concerns the earlier flooding episode and retains its original dates.
OCTOBER 31, 2026 UPDATE. Syria’s Emergency Management Minister Raed al-Saleh reported eight flood-related deaths: seven people drowned, including five children, and one other person died in a flood-related traffic accident. Four people remain missing, and seven injuries have been reported. The state agency SANA published this breakdown on October 31 at 11:02 a.m. Syrian local time. Reuters’ earlier report cited seven deaths. The reports refer to different scopes or reporting times, so the totals must not be added together.
More than 550 emergency responses as searches continue
Syrian Civil Defense reported more than 550 emergency operations and over 900 requests for help, rescuing 60 people trapped in vehicles by floodwaters. Teams evacuated more than 350 students from two schools and assisted 375 families leaving flooded camps in Raqqa. Water was pumped from around 250 homes and public buildings, with impacts reported across Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Aleppo and other governorates. SANA, October 30 emergency update; Reuters, earlier October 30 casualty report.
These figures remain provisional. Avoid flooded crossings and follow emergency authority instructions. Our guide explains flood causes and dangers.
Previous October 30 report
The following material preserves the earlier five-dead, five-missing assessment for historical context. It has been superseded by the update above.
Flash floods in Syria have killed at least five people, including four children, while five others are missing and seven were injured, according to a Syrian Civil Defense update published by SANA on October 30, 2026. Heavy rainfall affected several governorates, including Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and Aleppo. These are preliminary figures, not a final casualty count.
More than 300 emergency operations
Youssef Azzo of Syria’s Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management said rescue teams conducted more than 300 operations on October 28 and 29 and responded to over 450 requests for assistance. Crews rescued 50 people stranded by floodwater or vehicle incidents and assisted around 42 trapped vehicles.
Families displaced from flood-hit camps
Approximately 375 families left the Sahlat al-Banat, al-Younaniya and al-Maqas camps as a precaution. More than 100 families were affected around Kasrat Surour, in Raqqa countryside, after an earthen bridge or drainage crossing collapsed. Floods also damaged seven culverts or drainage crossings, blocked roads and brought down trees and debris across several provinces.
Where fatalities were reported
According to preliminary Civil Defense information, four children drowned in flooded areas in rural Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. A fifth death was initially linked to a road accident near the al-Suleimani bridge in western Raqqa. Rescue teams continued searching for five missing people, so the reported figures could change.
Further rain risk
Forecasts at the time warned of continued unsettled weather through early October 31. People in affected areas should avoid flooded roads, damaged bridges and waterways and follow official emergency instructions. EarthSentra’s separate guides explain the causes of flooding and different types of natural disasters.
Sources and reporting dates
- SANA, October 30: casualties and Civil Defense operations
- SANA, October 29: evacuations and infrastructure damage
- Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, October 29
News update dated October 30, 2026. Casualty totals are preliminary and subject to revision.
