In a recent update by Dilan Rashad, the spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Transport and Communications, it was announced on Friday that a significant torrential rainstorm would sweep through the Kurdistan Region from 1:00 am until 10:00 am.
The areas primarily affected by this storm include Erbil city, Koya district, Raparin independent administration, and Dukan district.
Amer al-Jabri, the director of Iraq’s meteorological office, shared that this wave of thunderstorms, originating from the Red Sea, would continue to impact the Kurdistan Region and central regions of Iraq.
Temperature forecasts indicate readings of 23 degrees Celsius in most parts of the Kurdistan Region, 32 degrees Celsius in central Iraq, and 33 to 34 degrees Celsius in the southern regions
.The aftermath of the torrential rainstorm in Kurdistan has resulted in severe flash floods in various cities, with many neighborhoods in Erbil experiencing significant inundation. Tragically, a pregnant woman lost her life in Erbil province’s Kore subdistrict as a wall collapsed during her attempt to seek safety from the flooding.
The Kurdistan Region’s meteorology department had issued warnings in the preceding days regarding the new wave of rainfall. Post-rain floods, exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure, remain a persistent issue in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq as a whole.
The recurring occurrences of rising water levels and flash floods during the fall and winter seasons have led to disastrous consequences, causing casualties and extensive damage.
Notably, recent devastating floods in late 2021 and early 2022 severely impacted the Kurdistan Region, particularly Erbil, resulting in the displacement of numerous families and tragic loss of lives. As authorities assess the damages and residents are urged to exercise caution, the community stands united in facing the challenges posed by these natural disasters, emphasizing the need for improved infrastructure and preparedness measures.
