Iraqi minister calls for maximizing rainfall as reserves recover from historic lows

BAGHDAD — Water Resources Minister Aoun Diab called Saturday for maximizing the use of recent rainfall to strengthen Iraq’s water reserves, during a meeting at the Fallujah Dam in Anbar with senior officials from irrigation, dam management, river dredging and engineering departments.

Diab stressed “the importance of making the most of the recent rainfall,” saying the ministry is adopting flexible operational plans including organized storage in dams and reservoirs, regulated water releases to support irrigation and continued dredging and clearing work “to ensure high water flow and absorb increases resulting from rainfall and floods.” He also emphasized coordination between all ministry formations to ensure fair and efficient water distribution.

The meeting is part of a broader recovery in Iraq’s water situation. Recent storms boosted strategic reserves by around 6 billion cubic meters and raised storage levels in dams and reservoirs across the country — a significant turnaround after authorities said reserves had dropped to their lowest levels in roughly 80 years in 2025 due to prolonged drought and reduced upstream flows from Turkey and Iran.