ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region’s meteorology directorate warned on Monday that a strong rainstorm is expected to intensify across Sulaimani and Erbil provinces on Tuesday, bringing a high risk of rising water levels and flooding.
Meteorology officials said that following Monday night’s rainfall, the storm system will strengthen by Tuesday afternoon, bringing moderate rain, continuous drizzle, and occasional thunderstorms.
The directorate has urged administrative units in Erbil, Soran, Sulaimani, Raparin, Garmiyan, and Halabja cities to prepare for potential flooding, noting that rainfall amounts in those areas are expected to be significant. The storm’s impact is forecast to continue until Wednesday before weakening.
The alert comes after several streets across the Region flooded on Monday, leaving some vehicles stranded.
The Garmiyan administration said Monday that, due to the expected severity of the storm, all institutions within its boundaries will observe a holiday on Tuesday “for the safety of everyone’s lives.” Service offices and security institutions are excluded and will remain on emergency duty.
Authorities across the Kurdistan Region have been on heightened alert since the weekend as heavy rainfall is forecast to hit low-lying areas hardest.
The Kurdistan Region and Iraq are experiencing their worst drought in nearly a century, with water reserves in dams below 30 percent. Declining rainfall and upstream dams in Turkey and Iran have contributed to the crisis, prompting some residents, especially in Sulaimani and Duhok provinces, to leave water-scarce villages.
The government is pursuing emergency projects in Erbil and Sulaimani to improve access to potable water.
Meteorology officials said that following Monday night’s rainfall, the storm system will strengthen by Tuesday afternoon, bringing moderate rain, continuous drizzle, and occasional thunderstorms.
The directorate has urged administrative units in Erbil, Soran, Sulaimani, Raparin, Garmiyan, and Halabja cities to prepare for potential flooding, noting that rainfall amounts in those areas are expected to be significant. The storm’s impact is forecast to continue until Wednesday before weakening.
The alert comes after several streets across the Region flooded on Monday, leaving some vehicles stranded.
The Garmiyan administration said Monday that, due to the expected severity of the storm, all institutions within its boundaries will observe a holiday on Tuesday “for the safety of everyone’s lives.” Service offices and security institutions are excluded and will remain on emergency duty.
Authorities across the Kurdistan Region have been on heightened alert since the weekend as heavy rainfall is forecast to hit low-lying areas hardest.
The Kurdistan Region and Iraq are experiencing their worst drought in nearly a century, with water reserves in dams below 30 percent. Declining rainfall and upstream dams in Turkey and Iran have contributed to the crisis, prompting some residents, especially in Sulaimani and Duhok provinces, to leave water-scarce villages.
The government is pursuing emergency projects in Erbil and Sulaimani to improve access to potable water.
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