Meteorological Authority warns of impact from rainy conditions expected to peak

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Meteorological Authority on Sunday said a new weather system has begun affecting the country and warned that its strongest impact is expected from Monday evening through Wednesday, urging the public to keep following official updates.

In a statement, the authority said it “confirms the continued warnings issued regarding the current weather situation,” noting that the system is already influencing conditions nationwide and that “surprises remain possible due to its fluctuations.”

It added that current models indicate “the peak of the impact will begin starting from Monday evening and continue until Wednesday evening, or Wednesday afternoon, depending on the development of the accompanying weather systems.”

Local governments said they are preparing for heavier rain. Authorities in Baghdad announced full readiness after maintenance on major drainage lines, activation of emergency plans and the mobilization of service crews. Erbil municipality said it has cleared drainage channels, cleaned markets and deployed teams to monitor flood-prone areas as forecasters expect heavy rain in central parts of the Kurdistan Region.

This week’s system is the second significant wave of rainfall to hit Iraq and the Kurdistan Region this season. The Water Resources Ministry said the first wave in mid-November added 250 million cubic meters of water to national storage, boosting dam reserves and supporting agriculture after years of drought.

Ministry spokesperson Khaled Shamal said rain north of the Samarra and Haditha dams was directed into reservoirs, while precipitation to the south helped replenish grazing lands and recharge groundwater. He described the gains as critical for winter crops and pasture recovery.