Flooded Mosul declares state of emergency

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Provincial officials declared a state of emergency in Mosul because of flooding after heavy rains. 

“Nineveh provincial council on Saturday declared a state of emergency in Mosul because of floods in most city neighborhoods,” Ali Khuzair, member of Nineveh provincial council, told Rudaw.

“The council also decided to shut the university and schools due to water completely surrounding the neighborhoods of southern Mosul where people have no route out. Rescue teams should go to these neighborhoods and free people,” he added.

Authorities are especially concerned about areas around what is usually a small river, Khosar, but had swelled Saturday morning. 

Khuzair said they are worried the banks may collapse. “If this happens, it will be a real disaster for the city of Mosul.”

Ali al-Baroodi, a lecturer at Mosul University, shared video of the muddy waters, overflowing its banks.


Khosar flows into the Tigris River that bisects the city. 

Flooding has been reported on both the eastern and western halves of the city and civil defence teams have warned people against going out.

The Mosul Eye, blog of historian Omar Mohammed, shared photos of the flooded streets. 



Last week, at least 21 people were killed in flooding in Iraq.