Heavy rains block roads, damage homes in Kurdistan Region
ERBIL, Heavy rains have damaged many homes and farms across the Kurdistan Region and blocked many roads.
"As a result of the heavy rains, waters have flooded many houses at the Raparin and Qularaisi neighborhoods of Sulaimani," Rekan Jamal, spokesperson of the Sulaimani Civil Defence, told Rudaw, adding their rescue teams have reached out to the affected.
Jamal added the floods have damaged and blocked some major roads "so the municipality teams are out to address the issue as it has brought traffic to a halt."
In the capital Erbil the old neighborhoods of Saydawa and Badawa are heavily damaged, confirmed Shwan Abdulqadir, the Erbil Civil Defense head.
One bridge connecting Awena City to Hiran City 2 on the eastern side of Erbil has been brought to the brink of collapse.
Parts of the road between Erbil and Sulaimani were also submerged last week until local authorities started a temporary bridge at the Simaquli dam.
Dukan Mayor Shaho Osman said their teams are clearing the roads so traffic can go back normal.
Local authorities have advised some schools in rural areas to shut until the waters subside.
"Due to heavy rains, we were forced to declare today a holiday across schools," Nasih Mala Hassan, Darbandikhan mayor said.
He added that landslide has blocked some roads in the town.
The Darbandikhan Traffic Department announced a bridge connecting the town of Darbandikhan to Kalar has partially collapsed sabotaging traffic.
In Garmiyan region most schools have closed for Monday.