Iraq’s water reserves at 11 billion cubic meters as drought conditions persist

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s water reserves currently stand at 11 billion cubic meters, Minister of Water Resources Aoun Diab said Saturday, describing the year as relatively dry and urging continued conservation.

“The water reserve always depends on rainfall,” Diab told the state news agency. “Snowfall in the upper basins of the Tigris and Euphrates this year was not sufficient.”

He said maintaining current reserve levels is a top priority, noting the potential for late-season rainfall near the Mosul Dam and upper river areas that could boost storage.

While 2024 remains drier than average, Diab said conditions may be less severe than last year if water use is managed carefully, particularly in agriculture.

Iraq continues to face worsening climate conditions, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts. Precipitation has declined sharply in central and southern regions, leading to reduced river flows and strained irrigation systems.

The United Nations has listed Iraq among the five countries most vulnerable to climate change, citing extreme heat, water scarcity and land degradation. Each year, dozens of acres of farmland are lost to desertification, threatening food production and long-term water security.