Kurdistan
Municipal teams and local residents clear debris from the alleys of Shekhan district in Duhok following heavy flooding on February 8, 2026.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours damaged around 30 houses and 17 vehicles in Duhok province's Shekhan district, local authorities said on Sunday, confirming that no casualties were reported.
Speaking to Rudaw while inspecting the damaged homes on Sunday, Shekhan Mayor Sardar Sheikh Yahya said, “civil defense and municipal teams went to the aid of those affected at 3:30 am.”
Yahya stated that the damage was caused by a sudden surge in water levels after an intense downpour delivered a large amount of rain in a very short window.
“There were no losses of life, but nearly 30 houses and 17 vehicles were damaged due to the high water levels,” he stated, adding that there were no service issues with the neighborhood drainage systems.
Civil defense teams and sanitation workers are continuing cleanup operations in streets and homes affected by flooding.
The mayor said compensation for those affected will be handled at the federal level, and the relevant parties will be officially informed about the extent of the damage.
According to Kurdistan Region’s meteorological department, 52 millimeters of rain fell in Shekhan district in the last 24 hours, with more rain expected on Monday across all provinces in the Region.
The Kurdistan Region has seen a sharp increase in rainfall this season, with precipitation more than doubling compared to the previous rainy season, according to the Region’s meteorology department last month. The rise follows several years of worsening drought.
In early December, heavy rainfall triggered flash floods that caused casualties and widespread material damage in Sulaimani's Chamchamal district. A preliminary report by the Region’s Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC) documented at least five deaths, 19 injuries, and damage to 2,225 homes across the Region and Kirkuk province.
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