ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least five people have been killed in flash floods caused by heavy rains across the Kurdistan Region this week and meteorological authorities warn that the rainfall will continue.
Four hikers were swept away by flood water in Sulaimani province’s Qaradagh town on Friday. None of them survived. One of the dead had recently overcome cancer. Police arrested the guide of the 12-member hiking group.
A 25-year-old pregnant woman was killed in Erbil province’s Kore sub-district on Wednesday after flooding caused a wall to fall on her as she was rushing to safety. Three other women were severely injured in the incident.
Kurdistan Region's meteorology department has issued several warnings about the heavy rains and has forecast more rain in the next several days.
Rising water levels and flash floods during the rainy fall and winter seasons have become a common occurrence in the Kurdistan Region, at times reaching disastrous levels and causing deaths and significant damage.
An unfinished artificial pond in Sulaimani province’s Garmyan administration posed a threat when it was inundated by excessive amounts of water. Locals managed to release some water from the pond to decrease the risk and no one was hurt.
The pond was built in 2017, but was abandoned incomplete by the contractor for unknown reasons.
Flooding also caused blackouts and damaged tourism sites in Garmyan.
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