Darbandikhan faces ongoing water crisis despite dams reaching capacity

DARBANDIKHAN — Despite the Darbandikhan Dam undergoing a water discharge today as the dam reached full capacity, residents continue to report a persistent shortage of drinking water. The dam’s efforts, aimed at managing water levels, have not alleviated the water supply issues affecting the local population.

The Sirwan River, which flows from the dam, serves as the primary source of drinking water for Darbandikhan’s residents. However, its proximity has not spared locals from having to purchase water delivered by tankers. Asos Ahmed, a local resident, shared his frustration with 964media: “People do not want the dam to release water; it has become a hardship for the residents here. The dam releases water, yet we have to buy it by the tanker.”

Adding to the severity of the situation, Ahmed noted, “All the people in this district have fallen ill because of the contaminated water. Out of necessity, people are going to nearby springs to fetch drinking water.”

The district also includes another reservoir, the Dewana Dam, located in the lower part of Darbandikhan, which has similarly released water twice this year. Despite these measures, the local water infrastructure fails to provide clean and safe drinking water, compelling residents to depend on natural springs for their daily needs.

Ata Mohammed, another resident, lamented the inadequate supply: “The water that is supplied to our homes is practically useless. We also find it unacceptable that they only supply us with water every few days. As a result, people are forced to buy water from tankers.” He further explained that those households with access to private wells have set up tanks at their gates, filling them with water for consumption and cooking.

In response to these ongoing concerns, a team from the Sulaymaniyah Health Protection Directorate made an unexpected visit to Darbandikhan on Thursday to identify and address deficiencies in the local drinking water project. The visit, aimed at troubleshooting the critical water infrastructure issues, occurred without prior notice to local authorities. Suleiman Mohammed, the sub-district commissioner of Darbandikhan expressed concerns about the lack of communication, stating, “We were not informed about this visit, and they did not consult us on any issues nor did they inform us of the outcomes.”

Mohammed emphasized the critical nature of completing the Darbandikhan Water Treatment Plant to resolve the issues. Initially launched in 2012, the project faced multiple delays due to financial constraints but has recently resumed, with approximately 60% of the construction completed. He provided a hopeful outlook for the future: “With the completion of this project, the residents of Darbandikhan will no longer face drinking water problems and will receive clean water.” The community eagerly awaits the project’s completion, anticipating an end to their longstanding water woes.