Iran blocks water flow from Little Zab River, threatening local water supply

SULAYMANIYAH — The town of Qaladiza in Sulaymaniyah’s Raparin independent administration is facing severe water shortages after Iran halted the flow of water from the Little Zab River through the Kolsa Dam in Sardasht, West Azerbaijan. This action has critically affected Qaladiza’s drinking water supply, with local officials warning of a potential crisis.

Marf Mahmoud, director of the Qaladiza Water Project, highlighted the dire situation to 964media, stating, “As in previous years, Iran has halted the flow of the Little Zab River. Currently, only one of our six pumps is operational, which is insufficient to meet the town’s water needs.”

Previously, four pumps were functional, but with the reduction to just one, the town is now dependent on its internal reserves. The Little Zab River, originating in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province and flowing into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, is essential not only for drinking water but also for supporting hundreds of fish ponds and extensive agricultural lands.

“To secure the water supply, we need to implement a temporary solution that allows us to collect enough water for the pumps to operate, or we need Iran to release the water flow. Without this, we cannot guarantee a consistent supply of drinking water,” Mahmoud explained. He warned that Qaladiza could face a complete water shortage by tomorrow morning unless a temporary agreement is reached to restore the flow.

Mahmoud also noted the recurring nature of this issue: “While temporary solutions might provide short-term relief, they are often not sustainable. Once the water flow is restored, the issue tends to resurface, underscoring the urgent need for a permanent solution, which is currently beyond our capacity.”

The Qaladiza Water Project, responsible for supplying 95% of the town’s drinking water, has a storage capacity of 20 million liters.