Iraq water crisis: Little Zab River shrinks by 70%
SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – Water levels on the Little Zab River, which flows through the Kurdistan Region from its source in Iran, have fallen by 70 percent, according to the Region’s top dam infrastructure official.
“Nearly 50 percent of Little Zab water was held initially, but now it has increased to 70 percent, meaning that Iran is holding more water every day,” Akram Ahmed, director-general of the dams in the Kurdistan Region, told Rudaw.
Iran and Turkey have been accused by Iraqi and Kurdish authorities of withholding water with their dam projects.
Mohammed Hassan, head of Qaladize water directorate, told Rudaw engineers have no other option but to narrow the river.
“We have to narrow the size of the river on daily basis in order for the Qaladize water project to not be suspended, resulting in gathering of the water,” he said.
Iran built a dam on the Little Zab in Sardasht last year. At the time, it temporarily withheld most of the river’s flow to Qaladize. The same occurred on June 2 this year, again causing water scarcity.
“Today the Iranian government restricted the water flow of the Little Zab and as a result the main source of drinking water for Qaladize’s residents has been cut off,” Qaladize mayor Bakir Baiz told Rudaw on June 2.
The Sirwan and Little Zab rivers flow from Iran to Kurdistan Region. Along with three other rivers originating in Turkey, they make up 75 percent of water supplies for household and commercial use, drinking, and agriculture.
“Nearly 50 percent of Little Zab water was held initially, but now it has increased to 70 percent, meaning that Iran is holding more water every day,” Akram Ahmed, director-general of the dams in the Kurdistan Region, told Rudaw.
Iran and Turkey have been accused by Iraqi and Kurdish authorities of withholding water with their dam projects.
Mohammed Hassan, head of Qaladize water directorate, told Rudaw engineers have no other option but to narrow the river.
“We have to narrow the size of the river on daily basis in order for the Qaladize water project to not be suspended, resulting in gathering of the water,” he said.
Iran built a dam on the Little Zab in Sardasht last year. At the time, it temporarily withheld most of the river’s flow to Qaladize. The same occurred on June 2 this year, again causing water scarcity.
“Today the Iranian government restricted the water flow of the Little Zab and as a result the main source of drinking water for Qaladize’s residents has been cut off,” Qaladize mayor Bakir Baiz told Rudaw on June 2.
The Sirwan and Little Zab rivers flow from Iran to Kurdistan Region. Along with three other rivers originating in Turkey, they make up 75 percent of water supplies for household and commercial use, drinking, and agriculture.