Recent rainfalls boost Iraq’s water reserves by 10%

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s water reserves surged by 10% following a recent deluge of rainfall across the country, announced the Ministry of Water Resources on Friday.

The Ministry revealed in a statement obtained by 964media that the downpour, ranging from moderate to heavy, inundated various regions over the past three days, with Duhok province witnessing up to 300 mm of rainfall in certain areas.

This resulted in substantial flooding in valleys and cities within the province, contributing to the strategic water reserve’s remarkable increase.

The surge in water reserves was particularly notable in key dams such as Mosul, Dukan, Darbandikhan, and Hamrin.

Additionally, the Ministry highlighted the significant water flow from snow in the upper Tigris and Euphrates basins, which is expected to further bolster the water reserve in the coming months.
Forecasts predict continued rainfall over the next seven days, particularly in central and northern regions of Iraq.

Furthermore, the statement emphasized the rainfall’s positive impact on agricultural irrigation across all provinces and the Ministry’s initiative to divert water toward the Tharthar Dam basin to supplement the Euphrates River during the summer months.

In southern provinces, the rainfall and subsequent floods have revived the marshlands in southern Iraq, benefiting local communities.

Despite the rejuvenating rains, the Ministry cautioned citizens against potential flood hazards, urging them to exercise vigilance and steer clear of flood-prone areas to avoid risks associated with rising river levels.

Large parts of Iraq suffer from water scarcity, particularly in the southern and central regions. Iraq has been embroiled in a dispute with its northern neighbor Turkey over Ankara’s release of insufficient water amounts to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.