Parliamentary finance committee calls for declaration of nationwide water emergency

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s parliamentary finance committee has formally requested the Ministry of Water Resources to declare a nationwide water emergency, citing a sharp decline in reserves and inflows that threatens food security and livelihoods.

In an official letter dated Oct. 20, Committee Chair Youssef Al-Kilabi wrote, “In order to avert the risks associated with the water drought crisis and its impact on all aspects of life, including drinking water and the farming sector in the coming years […] we see it necessary to present the declaration of a water emergency.”

Iraq is facing its worst water shortage in eight decades, with reserves at their lowest levels in 80 years after a poor rainy season. Officials have blamed climate change, prolonged drought, and upstream dam projects in Turkey and Iran for the crisis.

The letter urged the government to implement an emergency response plan involving ministries, security agencies, and agricultural committees across central and southern governorates. It also called for coordinated action from the Foreign, Health, and Environment ministries to address diplomatic and public health aspects, and for municipal authorities to curb wastewater discharge into the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

The committee further recommended deploying potable water tankers to underserved areas to prevent rural depopulation.

Water Resources Minister Aoun Diab said last week that Iraq had asked Turkey to increase water releases into the Tigris and Euphrates by one billion cubic meters during October and November. The ministry has warned that Iraq has entered a “critical” stage as river levels continue to drop, leaving reserves at their lowest in decades.

Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Friday that Iraq and Turkey are close to signing a framework agreement on water management.