Kurdistan
Residents stand outside their homes in a flooded neighborhood of Kalar, in the Garmiyan administration of Sulaimani province, on December 9, 2025. Photo: Screengrab/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The final death toll rose to three, with at least 12 others injured in flash floods on Tuesday in eastern Sulaimani and northern Kirkuk provinces. The tragic incidents have prompted reactions from both Kurdish and Iraqi leaders, accompanied by calls for caution until mid-Wednesday.
Sarkawt Karash, spokesperson for the Region’s Civil Defense Directorate, told Rudaw that two people were killed in Chamchamal district in eastern Sulaimani province. They were identified as 72-year-old Omar Saeed Amin and 22-year-old Basharat Sharif.
Meanwhile, Ramk Ramazan, mayor of Chamchamal, told Rudaw late Tuesday that “the number of injured has risen to 12 so far.”
Unconfirmed reports of additional residents missing or injured have also emerged. Residents in Chamchamal told Rudaw’s reporter on the ground, Hiwa Hussamadin, that 11-year-old Karzan Abdulla and 9-year-old Chra Mohammed have gone missing amid the floods. Search operations are under way to locate them.
In the northern Kirkuk province, a young girl named Bayar Eisa also drowned. She was laid to rest later in the day.
A young girl, Bayar Eisa, was laid to rest on Tuesday after drowning in a flash flood in the northern Kirkuk province. pic.twitter.com/473DdG50yi
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) December 9, 2025
Meanwhile, Shakhawan Siktani, mayor of the Balisan sub-district northeast of Erbil, reported that six Kurdish Peshmerga members were injured in a lightning strike, noting that the majority of them “are in good health and their injuries are not severe.”
Taha Mohammed, spokesperson for the Raparin Independent Administration’s health department, southeast of Erbil, said that “one of the Peshmerga personnel has been transferred to a hospital in Sulaimani after sustaining severe injuries.”
For its part, the Operations Room for Crisis and Disaster Management, affiliated with the Kurdistan Region’s interior ministry, warned late Tuesday of rising water levels and flash floods across much of Sulaimani and Halabja provinces, urging the public to remain cautious as weather conditions are expected to worsen until mid-Wednesday.
Reactions
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Tuesday mourned the deaths of the three
citizens in Sulaimani and Kirkuk provinces, offering his “deepest condolences and sympathy” to the victims’ families.
In a statement released by the presidency, he reaffirmed his “full support” for those affected by the floods, adding that the relevant Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) authorities "have been instructed to assist the distressed, exert every effort to protect the lives and property of citizens, and provide necessary assistance."
Similarly, the Region’s Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani, extended his condolences to the bereaved families and expressed regret over “the damage caused to citizens’ homes, schools, and government offices.”
He confirmed that he has “directed the relevant ministries and local authorities to assist those affected and provide all necessary support.”
The office of President Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), expressed condolences and called for swift humanitarian action.
“We extend our condolences to the families and relatives of the victims,” the statement read, instructing the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) to “provide immediate assistance to those affected and spare no effort in offering relief and support.” The BCF is a non-profit organization based in the Kurdistan Region that provides humanitarian aid and relief, primarily to refugees and displaced persons.
Meanwhile, Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), expressed his support for the victims of the floods, saying, “I stand in solidarity with, and share the grief of, the families of the victims of the floods in Chamchamal, Kirkuk, and other areas in Kurdistan. I also wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
“We in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan have directed all our institutions and members to stand by the people of the Kurdistan Region and its administrative institutions, serving the citizens,” he said, further extending his “deepest gratitude and appreciation to the emergency teams and security forces who have fully assisted our people.”
For its part, the Iraqi presidency on Tuesday announced that it is "closely monitoring developments” in the Region, “following floods and heavy rainfall that have struck several areas, causing casualties, injuries, and significant material losses."
The presidency expressed full solidarity with those affected and called on "the competent federal authorities” in Baghdad to “immediately coordinate" with the KRG "to provide necessary support and assistance, expedite relief operations, and ensure the protection of citizens."
Flooding in previous years has caused deaths, major damage, and vehicles being swept away in the Kurdistan Region. In May last year, five people died in flash floods in Erbil and Sulaimani.
The Kurdistan Region Meteorology Directorate warned on Monday that heavy rain in Erbil and Sulaimani on Tuesday could lead to flash floods and higher water levels. Halabja, as well as the Soran, Raparin, and Garmiyan administrations, were also advised to prepare for strong rainfall, with conditions expected to improve by Wednesday.
Authorities have been on high alert since the weekend.
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