Two killed as 'tragic' rainstorms ravage Syria

Rainstorms across Syria in the early hours of Saturday morning killed at least two civilians and caused significant material damage, The New Arab’s Arabic-language service Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

The rainstorm partially damaged displacement camps in opposition-controlled northern Syria as one individual was killed in the Hama province and another died in the coastal province of Lattakia.

Internally displaced citizens – who are already living in difficult conditions amid an alarming shortage of basic needs and humanitarian aid – suffered as the storm damaged tents made of blanket-like, non-water-proof material, prompting water to seep into their only shelter.

أضرار متفاوتة بالمخيمات شمال غربي #سوريا إثر العاصفة المطرية التي ترافقت برياح شديدة، اليوم السبت 25 حزيران، وإصابة رجل بكسور انهيار حائط مسكنه المؤقت في مخيم بريف #حلب، فرقنا أسعفته إلى المستشفى لتلقي العلاج، وتفقدت الأضرار في المخيمات.#الخوذ_البيضاء pic.twitter.com/I82SSJ5DN5

— الدفاع المدني السوري (@SyriaCivilDefe) June 25, 2022

“The children were frightened…rain entered the tents, mud was scattered everywhere. Summer is very hard, and it is even more difficult to get a bundle of bread,” displaced woman, Aisha Al-Ahmad, who has nine children, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

“Our night was tragic… water leaked into the tent and we hope that someone will help us,” another displaced woman, Fatima Al-Ezzo, said, stressing her hope for the displaced to be granted the ability to safely return to her own homes in areas controlled by the regime.

The Syrian Civil Defence – otherwise known as the White Helmets – responded to those affected, Volunteer Ali Sugour told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, who stated one man was injured after a wall of his temporary shelter collapsed on him amid the storm.

#سوريا
عاصفة مطرية قوية نادرة التوقيت تضرب محافظة اللاذقية وتخلف أضرار مادية كبيرة وإصابات... pic.twitter.com/Pg7FDGSZz6

— #كابتن_غازي_عبداللطيف (@CaptainGhazi) June 25, 2022

"The city experienced a nightmare last night, and it is a night that will not be erased from memory, and that people have not witnessed before,” Activist Abu Youssef Jablawi, from Latakia told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Jablawi stated he could hear solar panels and shop covers break throughout the night, and that electricity in the city of Lattakia has been cut since.

The official Facebook page of Lattakia Governorate said that operations to remove the damage caused by the storm began in the early hours of the morning and include the removal of waste from roads and public facilities.