Crossing with Iran impacted

Heavy snow blocks key roads and border crossings in Kurdistan Region

NEWSROOM — Heavy snowfall has disrupted traffic and blocked some border crossings and mountain routes in the Kurdistan Region, creating challenges for travelers and local authorities.

At the Haji Omaran International Border Crossing, located on the northeastern border between the Kurdistan Region and Iran, snowfall has slowed down movement but has not completely halted it. “Snowfall has disrupted transportation at the Haji Omaran crossing, but the road remains open, and teams are actively working to clear it,” said Sirwan Barzani, spokesperson for the crossing, in a statement to 964media.

Elsewhere, the Kele border crossing has been entirely closed due to accumulated snow. Abbas Aziz Bapir, head of Raparin Customs, reported that over 10 centimeters of snow had fallen overnight, increasing to 20 centimeters by morning. “Traffic has completely stopped at the Kele crossing, and it is unlikely to reopen today,” he said, citing delays in securing the necessary equipment to clear the roads.

The Kele border, an unofficial crossing between the Kurdistan Region and Iran, connects the Pshdar district in Sulaymaniyah’s Raparin Independent Administration to Sardasht in Iran. Its closure has disrupted local trade and travel.

Additionally, the Zini Warte mountain road, a single-lane route linking the Raparin and Soran administrations, remains closed after heavy snow made it impassable. Hajar Haji, mayor of Warte sub-district, urged drivers to avoid the road until it is cleared. “Currently, the Zini Warte road is closed due to heavy snowfall, and drivers cannot use it for travel,” he said. Efforts to clear the road are underway, with teams from Soran’s road maintenance department.

The Iraqi Meteorological Authority forecasted on Sunday that light snowfall is expected in the mountainous regions of Kurdistan Region.

Due to a prolonged lack of rainfall in the Kurdistan Region, residents are increasingly concerned about potential drought conditions. In response, communities across Iraq have organized Salat al-Istisqa, or rain-seeking prayers, appealing for divine intervention to bring much-needed precipitation.