Relief efforts underway
Duhok grapples with aftermath of deadly floods
DUHOK — Heavy rains lashed Duhok this week, triggering floods that devastated several neighborhoods, caused multiple deaths and prompted a relief effort.
Baroshki, one of the hardest-hit areas, saw 29 homes destroyed and 108 others damaged, according to Mahdi Sharif, the local mukhtar. He told 964media that flooding also damaged 15 vehicles, with three swept away.
“This is the second time in four years our neighborhood has faced flooding, but this year’s damage is significant,” Sharif said, urging government assistance for residents.
The regional government’s meteorology data showed Duhok received 200 mm of rain in 48 hours, compared to 96 mm in Zakho. The downpour caused substantial damage across both cities and tragically claimed three lives.
In another incident, floodwaters inundated a family’s home in the Maltai neighborhood, preventing a sick child’s medical trip to Iran. Shukriya, a family member, recounted the harrowing ordeal of escaping the rising water by carrying the child over the house’s wall.
The Kurdistan Region Investment Board issued a call for support to importers, business chambers, investors, and traders, urging participation in a humanitarian campaign to aid Duhok flood victims. The board cited the “significant role these groups have played in previous natural disasters.”
Donations will be collected and distributed to affected residents based on the severity of damage, in coordination with the Duhok Governorate.
Elsewhere in the governorate, officials issued decisions and advisories to help local residents cope with the aftermath of heavy rains.
Shekhhan district authorities canceled Newroz celebrations as a gesture of solidarity with flood victims. However, a traditional Newroz fire will still be lit at Martyrs’ Park.
Heavy rain and floods forced the closure of several roads in the Amedi district, impacting access to the Kani Masi sub-district and surrounding villages. Amedi’s qaymaqam, Warshin Suleiman, advised residents to avoid these routes for safety reasons.
Duhok Governor Ali Tatar declared an official holiday to prioritize citizen safety during the harsh weather. He urged residents to stay clear of hazardous areas.
Bawar Abdul Aziz, spokesperson for Duhok’s Civil Defense, confirmed updated figures which included three fatalities, 11 injuries, and 120 people rescued from flood waters. The floods damaged or flooded 150 homes, with 50 vehicles submerged or swept away.
To address shelter needs, Duhok’s Tourism Directorate has prepared nine hotels to accommodate 242 families displaced by the disaster.