Large scale disruption
Heavy overnight rainfall, flooding hits Kurdistan Region cities
ERBIL — Heavy rains and resulting floods have affected parts of Duhok, Zakho, and Erbil in the Kurdistan Region, leading to deaths and widespread destruction of property.
In Erbil, a flood hit the Tairawa market following afternoon rainfall. Shop owners reported substantial damage and losses.
Videos on social media showed cars floating away, upturned on side streets, or lodged inside homes after being swept in by the water.
The intense rainfall in Erbil also led to water accumulation in streets and neighborhoods, disrupting traffic and daily activities. The sudden floodwaters entered several homes in the Farmanbaran neighborhood, causing damage. Mam Seyd, a resident, told 964media, “The water came very quickly and rose up to our knees, even reaching our bedroom, so we couldn’t save anything in the house.”
In Zakho, severe flooding in the Khabur neighborhood trapped a family inside their home, unable to escape. The homeowner reported that water entered all the rooms, preventing them from leaving.
Following the morning’s powerful rainstorm, several neighborhoods in Duhok were also flooded. Duhok Civil Defense reported that more than 30 homes were damaged by the floods.
Bewar Abdulaziz, a spokesperson for Duhok’s Civil Defense, mentioned that the affected areas were near the Wishkaru River, with 16 vehicles and 30 homes sustaining significant damage. In Duhok’s Nizarki Tunnel, two workers were swept away by the floodwaters, presumed dead.