Basra residents cool off in area rivers amid staggering heatwave

BASRA, August 12 — Young people in Basra are flocking to local rivers to beat the summer heat amid an intense heatwave and overcrowding at swimming pools.

Local residents were seen jumping into the Shatt Al-Arab, the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Qurna district, diving into the cool waters to find relief.

Swimmer Amir Kazem told 964: “There is only one pool here in Qurna in the Shatt Al-Arab area, and it’s crowded with people, so we resort to swimming here.”

“The cold water alleviates the extremely hot weather, especially in the scorching August days, and most young people prefer to swim in the afternoon.”

Jalal Mohsen, another swimmer, told 964: “I can’t afford the pool entrance fees, and truth be told, there’s only one pool in Shatt Al-Arab and it’s heavily crowded with many reservations.”

“If there was a free pool available, we would definitely go swimming there, but to be frank, I’m a student and I don’t have enough money. In such circumstances, we deserve to enjoy the water.”