ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The World Bank has stepped in to support the Iraqi government in assessing damages and repairing two dams affected by the 7.3 earthquake that hit the Kurdistan Region earlier this month.
"The World Bank is working hand-in-hand with the government of Iraq teams at the dam locations in carrying out a deep dive assessment of the damage caused by the earthquake, and putting together a rehabilitation plan to address immediate and longer-term concerns," said Yara Salem, World Bank Iraq Country Manager as reported by HydroWorld.com on Tuesday.
“Concerns about the safety and management” of the dams prompted Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to request assistance from the World Bank.
A task force comprised of the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources and the World Bank is investigating how the November 12 earthquake impacted the Dukan Dam and the Darbandikhan Dam.
The Dukan Dam, located on the Lesser Zab River houses power plant facilities of 415 MW while the Darbandikhan Dam, located on the Sirwan River produces 249 MW.
The World Bank will prepare a diagnostic of damages caused by the earthquake as well as review the country’s emergency measures and help develop an action plan for the dams’ future management.
Dukan and Darbandikhan Dams, built in 1975 and 1987, respectively, will require major rehabilitation due to years of neglect and damage from war.
Ten people were killed and over 500 injured in the Kurdistan Region where the November 12 quake affected some 640,000 people, according to an initial report from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The KRG’s Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC) reported that hundreds of homes in Darbandikhan, Halabja, and Garmian were damaged. The water and electricity networks in Darbandikhan were damaged and require “extensive repair” and Halabja’s water plant was operating at half capacity after being damaged.
The European Union has also reportedly said it would assist paying for repairs to Darbandikhan dam.
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