Iraq Facing Water Shortages as Tigris, Euphrates Rivers Dry Up
Date
2/27/2023 8:34:52 AM
(MENAFN) Iraq is experiencing a severe shortage of water due to a significant decrease in the levels of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the southern part of the country.
The situation has prompted officials to pledge urgent measures to alleviate the water scarcity. In the capital of the southern province of Dhi Qar, Nasiriyah, an AFP photographer observed the riverbed of the Euphrates dry in patches.
The Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources attributed the problem in some southern provinces to "the low quantity of water reaching Iraq from neighboring Turkiye."
According to a statement released by the ministry, the shortage has resulted in a sharp decline in the country's water reserves. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers both originate in Turkiye, and Iraqi authorities have long accused the Turkish government of retaining water in dams, which obstructs the rivers, and significantly reducing flows into Iraq.
In addition to accusing the Turkish government, Iraqi authorities have also blamed farmers for misusing water supplies and failing to comply with restrictions to irrigate their lands. The UN and several non-governmental organizations have already highlighted that water scarcity and its impact on farming and food security are among the "main drivers of rural-to-urban migration" in Iraq as of June 2022.
Official Iraqi statistics from the previous year indicated that the level of the Tigris entering Iraq had fallen to only 35% of its average over the past century. Khaled Chamal, the spokesman for the Ministry of Water Resources, confirmed on Sunday that Iraq was receiving only 30% of the water it expected from the Tigris and the Euphrates. Iraq has repeatedly requested Turkiye to release more water and imposed measures to ration water for agriculture and domestic use.
In conclusion, the lack of water in Iraq's rivers is posing a significant threat to the country's food security, prompting officials to take urgent action to address the issue.
While the Turkish government and farmers share the blame for the current crisis, Iraq is committed to rationing water supplies and seeking more support from its neighbors to ensure adequate water reserves for domestic and agricultural use.
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