Three days of intense rain lead to severe flooding across parts of the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi governorates

NEWSROOM — A three-day period of intense rainfall has ravaged parts of the Kurdistan Region and several Iraqi governorates, resulting in severe flooding and substantial property damage, particularly in Halabja, Kirkuk, and Sulaymaniyah. The storm, which began on Friday, has caused rivers to overflow, inundated streets, and damaged numerous homes, shops, and public facilities.

In Halabja, the impact has been particularly severe, with overnight downpours leading to floods that submerged more than 15 homes and damaged several mosques and market shops, as reported by the Halabja Civil Defense Directorate to 964media. “The rainfall was so intense last night that several streams and streets were overwhelmed,” the directorate stated, advising residents to stay indoors and evacuate homes at high risk of flooding. Within 24 hours, Halabja recorded over 106 mm of rainfall, raising this season’s total to 148 mm—a significant rise compared to last year’s 16 mm by this time.

Videos circulating on social media the extent of flooding, showing Halabja’s streets completely submerged. Emergency crews are conducting daily monitoring and cleanup efforts, though authorities caution that continued rain could worsen the damage.

In Kirkuk’s Shoraw neighborhood, sustained rainfall led to significant flooding, with water inundating over 15 homes and a primary school. A resident recounted his experience to 964media, describing how he had to evacuate his daughter’s home as water surged through the street and into their house. “I had to swim out and rescue them,” he said. Another resident, Ahmed, expressed frustration over the recurring nature of the flooding. “Every year, we face this issue. The government needs to create proper drainage channels, but they haven’t,” he noted, adding that new home constructions in flood-prone areas had exacerbated the water flow, blocking natural drainage paths. The Shoraw Primary School, previously flooded last year, has also been shut down again due to water damage.

Dai Mahmoud, another Shoraw resident, described finding his car submerged in a flooded alley upon arriving at his daughter’s house. “I had no choice but to wade through the water to rescue her family. We’ve lost all our electrical appliances, and I’m waiting for municipal crews to tow my car out,” he reported.

Qaradagh District, near Sulaymaniyah, has also faced challenges, with heavy rains triggering landslides that blocked access to villages including Shiwi Qazi, Dokrwo, and Dukan. Local teams are working to clear the roads, but officials warn that access remains limited. The Qaradagh District has urged residents to exercise caution, noting that road access to these areas is fully restricted and emergency crews are actively working to restore pathways.

In Darbandikhan, heavy rains caused landslides that twice blocked the Darbandikhan Tunnel entrance overnight, creating hazards for travelers. “We advise drivers to avoid the Darbandikhan Tunnel tonight due to potential landslide risks,” said Muqadam Jassem Ali Khan, head of Darbandikhan’s Traffic Department. Although crews have cleared the tunnel, officials caution that further landslides may occur if rainfall continues.

The Iraqi Meteorological Organization released a forecast for Monday and the coming days, predicting cloudy skies in central and southern regions. Northern areas are expected to experience cumulonimbus clouds, rain, lightning, and thunder. Daytime winds are anticipated to be light to moderate from the northwest, shifting to variable and unpredictable directions at night.

Flash floods, increasingly linked to climate change, occur as rising global temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture, leading to intense rainfall that can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in regions with inadequate infrastructure. This results in rapid flooding when large amounts of rain fall within a short period, posing heightened risks in vulnerable areas.