Heavy hail sends five to hospital in Soran

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Heavy hail in the Soran administration of Erbil province on Saturday injured five people and caused widespread damage to cars, homes, and crops, an official told Rudaw.

All five suffered head injuries and were taken to Rawanduz Hospital, "three of them had their heads stitched," Hazhar Hakim, director of communications for the Soran administration, told Rudaw.

Rain and hail fell across much of the Kurdistan Region on Saturday. In Soran, large hailstones shattered windshields, broke house windows, killed numerous birds, and damaged agricultural crops, especially apricot and plum trees, according to Hakim.

Authorities warned people to avoid going outside.

“We are notifying all citizens that while the wave of rain and hail continues, they should protect their belongings and avoid going outside or traveling unless absolutely necessary,” Halgurd Sheikh Najib, supervisor of the Soran administration, told Rudaw. 

“There are some areas in the Soran administration that are at risk of collapse, such as the Bekhal Road valley, the Mergasor area, Hamilton Road, and mountainous regions. If not absolutely necessary, avoid traveling, especially on these roads,” he added.