The governor of Erbil, Iraq, has officially declared a drought in the province for the second consecutive year due to insufficient precipitation. Governor Omed Khoshnaw made the announcement during a press conference held after a meeting with water authorities to address the situation.

Khoshnaw stated that despite some rainfall providing partial relief to farmers, it has not been enough to alleviate the drought across the entire province. The assessment was based on evaluations of groundwater levels and rainfall throughout the year, revealing that Erbil received only 250ml of rainfall during the rainy season, half of what is required to overcome the dry conditions.

To combat the drought during the upcoming summer season, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has allocated nearly 20 billion dinars (approximately $15 million) for nearly 20 proposed projects, as per the governor. These projects will include the digging of new water wells, maintenance of existing wells, and covering other necessary technical expenses for the months of July, August, and September.

Governor Khoshnaw expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the government for their support in addressing the crisis. Erbil relies on wells within the province and water treatment plants on the Greater Zab River to meet the water needs of its cities, towns, and neighborhoods.

As the effects of climate change worsen, drought has increasingly affected various parts of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in recent years. The United Nations ranks Iraq as the fifth most vulnerable country worldwide to the adverse impacts of climate change. Drought, desertification, and increased salinity in rivers have already led to the displacement of thousands, particularly in southern regions.

In response to the water scarcity challenges, the KRG has constructed several dams to enhance water security in the region. Prime Minister Barzani recently laid the foundation for the Bastora Dam, a new project aimed at strengthening water security and supporting agricultural and tourism sectors in Erbil.