Heavy snowfall blankets Kurdistan Region, shutting roads and prompting travel warnings

KURDISTAN REGION — A powerful winter storm swept across much of the Kurdistan Region on Friday, blanketing cities and towns in heavy snow, disrupting traffic and forcing authorities to close major roads while urging residents to limit travel to essential needs only.

From early Friday morning, Jan. 23, thick snowfall covered large parts of Sulaymaniyah, the Pshdar and Penjwin areas, Duhok, Erbil and Halabja, extending south toward Chamchamal, Said Sadiq, Sharazur, parts of Garmian and Rzgari district. Snowplow and road maintenance teams were deployed across the region to clear main arteries and keep vital routes open.

Several key roads, including the Pirmam, Shaqlawa and Bardarash–Kalak routes, became hazardous as snow accumulated. Road maintenance teams began clearing snow in the early hours on routes such as Kasnazan, Hiran and the Pirmam tunnel to prevent full closures. Authorities cautioned drivers that icy conditions pose a serious risk.

While the snowfall brought visible joy to many residents, traffic departments called on drivers to travel only when necessary and to exercise extreme caution. In Sulaymaniyah governorate, officials warned that the Tasluja–Raparin road and many outer-city routes had become dangerous due to ice and reduced vehicle control.

The Sulaymaniyah Traffic Directorate issued an alert urging motorists to stay home unless travel is unavoidable. “Because of the intensity of snowfall and the risk of skidding, driving conditions are dangerous,” the directorate said, warning of a high risk of accidents on roads between Tasluja and Raparîn and on several highways surrounding the city.

In Raparîn Autonomous Administration, authorities said snowfall continued to intensify, making roads such as Kele, Warti and Smaqoli particularly dangerous. The Raparîn Traffic Directorate announced the full closure of five major routes, including Kele, Qarasard, Zini Warti, Smaqoli and the Balisan–Zinêtir road, urging drivers not to approach them under any circumstances.

The storm also blanketed all six districts of Soran Autonomous Administration in Erbil governorate, where snowfall reached no less than 15 centimeters across the area. Most main and secondary roads were closed due to snow and ice.

Akam Ghafoor, a 964media correspondent in Soran, said the Ali Beg Gorge road — the area’s main artery — along with routes to Choman, Mergasor, Balisan and Spilk were closed because of hazardous conditions. “Despite it being Friday and the expectation of tourist movement, snowfall is likely to prevent travel,” he said.

Ghafoor added that road maintenance and traffic protection teams began clearing snow at 5 a.m., but persistent snowfall and limited equipment have complicated efforts. Authorities are focusing on reopening the Soran–Choman road, though traffic congestion has also been reported inside city centers.

Officials across the region reiterated calls for caution until the snowfall subsides and road conditions stabilize, stressing that public safety remains the priority.