DARATOO, Kurdistan Region - Groundwater levels in Duhok province are significantly lower this year, according to farmers and officials.
A well drilling rig working in the village of Daratoo in Duhok’s Sheikhan district dug for two days before it hit water at 200 metres. “We used to drill wells 100 to 120 metres deep after the 2000s. It has gradually increased,” said Karim Sleman, the rig owner.
Duhok province has nearly 2,000 farm wells. This year, many of them have seen drops in their groundwater levels.
“Water levels used to decrease by 15 to 16 metres every year. It has decreased by more than 25 metres this year,” said Nawzad Hamid, a farmer.
According to the Directorate of Water Outskirts in Duhok, groundwater levels have fallen by 15 to 20 metres in the whole province.
Sheikhan and Semel are the most affected districts in the province.
“Compared to the last three to four years, wells in Bardarash now need to go 30 to 40 meters deeper to reach the water. Sheikhan and Semel saw a decrease of 60 to 70 metres,” said Khalat Abubakir, a water service official in Duhok.
Officials have warned that the Kurdistan Region is in the midst of a water crisis due to a lack of rain, government funds, and the dams being built in neighbouring Iran.
Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
