Khanke cave a popular tourist attraction as Mosul Dam water levels decline

KHANKE, Kurdistan Region –– With lower water levels at Mosul Dam, a cave has reemerged as a popular tourist site. 

The Zra Barza cave, near Khanke on the edge of Mosul Dam, only appears when water levels are low, usually in the summer. 

"It is important that the tourism sector pay attention to this spot. Even with little revenue, the nearby areas can benefit. It can be introduced to the outside world," said tourist Mamand Nabi, who visited the cave with the Voice and Color of Kurdistan Nature, a local mountaineering group. 

"We wanted to see the beautiful scenery here," said Kiner Aziz, a member of the group. 

A geologist says the site is a dolomite cave. 

"This is dolomite. The mixture of water and dolomite creates such structures," saud Ramazan Hamza. 

Mosul Dam is located on the Tigris river.

Built in 1978, it pushed residents of 85 Yazidi and Arab villages to flee elsewhere.

Translation by Zhelwan Zeyad Wali

Video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed