ERBIL, Kurdistan – Local authorities in Qaladze are working to save their town’s water supply and fish industry after Iran restricted flow of the cross-border Little Zab River.
Water supplies for the city of 140,000 in northern Sulaimani province were “sabotaged” when Iran restricted the flow of the cross-border Little Zab River on Saturday, Qaladze mayor Bakir Baiz told Rudaw.
By Sunday, they had created new barriers for storing water and are now providing water to the city, he explained, but noted that water levels have dropped by 80 centimeters over the weekend.
This has also caused significant damage to the fish population and the municipality has worked to rescue what fish they can.
Iran has constructed a dam on the Little Zab River in Sardasht. Last summer, Iran completely cut the flow of the river for a time, causing KRG officials to restrict the flow of water into Iraq.
Several of Kurdistan’s primary water sources come from Iran.
Kurdistan and Iraq will need to prioritize water management as the resource is under increasing threat from dams in Iran and Turkey and climate change.
KRG officials have said the Region has ample water resources – with lakes, rivers, and groundwater – but admit they have a management problem and water is not adequately stored, conserved, or protected from pollution.
Water supplies for the city of 140,000 in northern Sulaimani province were “sabotaged” when Iran restricted the flow of the cross-border Little Zab River on Saturday, Qaladze mayor Bakir Baiz told Rudaw.
By Sunday, they had created new barriers for storing water and are now providing water to the city, he explained, but noted that water levels have dropped by 80 centimeters over the weekend.
This has also caused significant damage to the fish population and the municipality has worked to rescue what fish they can.
Iran has constructed a dam on the Little Zab River in Sardasht. Last summer, Iran completely cut the flow of the river for a time, causing KRG officials to restrict the flow of water into Iraq.
Several of Kurdistan’s primary water sources come from Iran.
Kurdistan and Iraq will need to prioritize water management as the resource is under increasing threat from dams in Iran and Turkey and climate change.
KRG officials have said the Region has ample water resources – with lakes, rivers, and groundwater – but admit they have a management problem and water is not adequately stored, conserved, or protected from pollution.
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