Floods in Kurdistan Region damage roads, bridges isolating villagers

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Due to a deluge of rain in the Kurdistan Region many northern villages have been damaged and cut off due to damage to infrastructure.

 

One of the districts most heavily impacted is Simelan. A steel bridge at the center of the district has been washed away by the flooding and large rocks from Halgurd Mountain have fallen into the town.

 

Faisal Allany, director of the Simelan district of Choman, said that due to the rains late Thursday night there were rising flood waters. This led to damages of infrastructure and the orchards of people.

 

Fourteen outlying villages in Choman are cut off because of damaged roads. Many people have fled their homes.

 

“Due to the floods of last night, fortunately there are no losses of life. The losses are material. Roads are greatly damaged,” said Khasro, a local director of roads.

 

The Binqalat steel bridge has been ruined by the floods. Teams are preparing their response.

 

“We will, at first, start cleaning the main roads,” said Khasro, reassuring residents they’ll do “their best” to find a fix.

 

Electricity is no longer available in tens of villages, and roads are closed between tens of villages.

 

Haji Omaran and Sidakan have also had floods, and villagers at the heels of the Qandil Mountain they too are flooded.

The governor of Sulaimani province said they are "prepared to help and rescue” people affected by the floods.

“We call on the KRG, Iraqi federal government, local and foreign organizations, as well as the brave people of Kurdistan to support the local government to minimize damage and rescue affected people in the villages,” Governor Haval Abubakir said in a statement.

 

Flooding in Haji Omaran on October 26, 2018. Video: Rudaw TV

 

Northern parts of the Kurdistan Region are extremely mountainous with steep passes, one-lane roads and bridges, and gorges. Mud and rock slides occur often as the rainy season hits Kurdistan in autumn and spring. 

 

Rains last season flooded IDP and refugee camps in the Kurdistan Region; however, there were no immediate reports of damage in Erbil.

 

"Fortunately there is not any problem and we don't have any damage,” said Nizar Salih, camp manager at Qushtapa.

Updated at 10:39 pm