Snow closes key mountain route linking Soran and Raparin

SORAN — The Zini Warte road has been closed due to heavy snowfall, making travel along the route impassable, according to local authorities.

Shorsh Hassan, the subdistrict administrator of Warte, told 964media, “A large amount of snow has accumulated in Zini Warte, rendering the road unusable.”

Hassan said response teams are engaged in clearing the road, beginning operations after 1 p.m. He urged drivers to avoid the area and remain alert to updates.

The Zini Warte road connects the autonomous administrations of Soran and Raparin, running through steep, mountainous terrain. Each winter season, the route often becomes blocked by snow.

A wave of snowfall that began overnight has affected several areas across the Kurdistan Region, including Soran, leading to road closures and difficult travel conditions in mountainous areas.

Iraq’s General Meteorological Authority reported Saturday that partly to fully cloudy weather is expected across the country throughout the week, with rain showers that could intensify at times into heavy downpours accompanied by thunder and lightning.