Heavy rain overwhelms Baghdad drainage system, flooding streets

BAGHDAD — Heavy rainfall overwhelmed Baghdad’s drainage system Friday night, flooding streets across the capital and prompting authorities to launch emergency efforts to quickly clear standing water.

Baghdad’s Mayoralty reported that rainfall reached a peak of 72 millimeters in just two hours, significantly exceeding the drainage system’s designed capacity of 24 to 38 millimeters.

“All sewage stations, as well as human and mechanical resources, are working at full capacity to drain the rainwater within a few hours,” the mayoralty said in a statement.

Mohammed Al-Rubaie, media director for Baghdad’s Mayoralty, said the intensity of Friday evening’s rainfall surpassed the city’s drainage capability by more than double.

“The rain that fell Friday evening was 100% more than the drainage capacity, with a peak of 72 millimeters. The system is designed to handle between 24 and 38 millimeters,” Al-Rubaie told the Iraqi News Agency.

Water pumps were immediately activated after the rainfall stopped, and Al-Rubaie said 90% of the water had already been cleared from major streets. He added that 17 municipal districts had mobilized crews and specialized equipment, including around the Jisr Al-Tabaqain area, where the Karada Municipality concentrated its efforts.

Security and government agencies joined municipal authorities in responding to the flooding. Baghdad Operations Command dispatched specialized water tankers to assist in pumping water off flooded roads, while Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari ordered all crisis and disaster response units, along with the Civil Defense Directorate, to support municipal efforts by deploying pumps and tankers in Baghdad and other governorates.

“This step provides additional support to municipal authorities and helps ease conditions for residents,” the ministry said.

In Wasit governorate, Governor Mohammed Jamil Al-Mayahi declared a state of emergency, mobilizing civil defense and ambulance services due to continuing heavy rainfall.

“I urge residents to avoid traveling between districts and towns,” Al-Mayahi said, though he assured residents that flooding near the border area was not severe.

In Anbar province, heavy rains prompted several mosques in Ramadi to advise worshippers to perform Taraweeh—the nightly Ramadan prayers—at home.

The severe weather also affected sporting events. The Iraqi Football Association postponed the Iraq Stars League match between Al-Naft and Al-Qasim due to flooding at the stadium. “A new date for the match will be announced later,” the federation said.

According to the Iraqi Meteorological Authority, the weather system bringing heavy rainfall to several regions will ease by Saturday afternoon. Rainfall will become lighter, gradually shifting eastward toward the Kurdistan Region by Sunday.