Rainfall rises sharply across Kurdistan Region, official data shows

ERBIL — Rainfall levels across all governorates in the Kurdistan Region have increased markedly this year compared with the same period last year, according to figures released by the Kurdistan Region’s General Directorate of Meteorology and Seismology on Jan. 11, 2026.

Data published by the directorate show Sulaymaniyah governorate recorded the highest rainfall so far this season, reaching 427.7 millimeters, up from 188.1 millimeters during the same period last year, an increase of 239.6 millimeters. Halabja governorate ranked second with 367.4 millimeters, compared with 241 millimeters last year, marking a rise of 125.8 millimeters.

In Erbil governorate, rainfall reached 275 millimeters this season, a sharp increase from 45.8 millimeters recorded over the same timeframe last year, a difference of 229.2 millimeters. Duhok governorate recorded 243.7 millimeters, compared with just 34 millimeters last year, reflecting an increase of 209.6 millimeters.

The directorate’s data indicate that Sulaymaniyah remains the wettest area in the region so far this season, while Erbil and Duhok experienced the most pronounced changes year on year. Halabja showed the smallest difference between the two periods, as it had already recorded relatively strong rainfall last year compared with other governorates.

The figures point to improved water conditions across the Kurdistan Region and a reduced risk of drought for the current season, according to the meteorology directorate’s assessment.

The rainfall increase follows four rain waves that have hit the Kurdistan Region since December, including a heavy 10-day period of precipitation that sharply improved water levels at major dams and enabled the resumption of electricity generation at Dukan Dam, where inflows and storage rose after weeks of decline, while Darbandikhan and Duhok dams also recorded gains, easing pressure on reservoirs that had entered winter at critically low levels after prolonged drought, according to data obtained by 964media.