Latest news with #KhaledShamal
Kuwait Times
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Kuwait Times
Iraq's water reserves hit 80-year low
MISHKHAB, Iraq: Iraqi children walk in an almost dried up stream in Najaf province on May 24, 2025, where years of drought have negatively affected the fauna and flora of the region. - AFP BAGHDAD: Iraq's water reserves are at their lowest in 80 years after a dry rainy season, a government official said Sunday, as its share from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers shrinks. Water is a major issue in the country of 46 million people undergoing a serious environmental crisis because of climate change, drought, rising temperatures and declining rainfall. Authorities also blame upstream dams built in neighboring Iran and Turkey for dramatically lowering the flow of the once-mighty Tigris and Euphrates, which have irrigated Iraq for millennia. 'The summer season should begin with at least 18 billion cubic meters... yet we only have about 10 billion cubic meters,' water resources ministry spokesperson Khaled Shamal told AFP. 'Last year our strategic reserves were better. It was double what we have now,' Shamal said. 'We haven't seen such a low reserve in 80 years,' he added, saying this was mostly due to the reduced flow from the two rivers. Iraq currently receives less than 40 percent of its share from the Tigris and Euphrates, according to Shamal. He said sparse rainfall this winter and low water levels from melting snow has worsened the situation in Iraq, considered by the United Nations to be one of the five countries most vulnerable to some impacts of climate change. Water shortages have forced many farmers in Iraq to abandon the land, and authorities have drastically reduced farming activity to ensure sufficient supplies of drinking water. Agricultural planning in Iraq always depends on water, and this year it aims to preserve 'green spaces and productive areas' amounting to more than 1.5 million Iraqi dunams (375,000 hectares), said Shamal. Last year, authorities allowed farmers to cultivate 2.5 million dunams of corn, rice, and orchards, according to the water ministry. Water has been a source of tension between Iraq and Turkey, which has urged Baghdad to adopt efficient water management plans. In 2024, Iraq and Turkey signed a 10-year 'framework agreement', mostly to invest in projects to ensure better water resources management. – AFP
Iraqi News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Iraqi News
Iraq's Tigris and Euphrates rivers shrinks due to dry rainy season
Baghdad – Iraq's water reserves are at their lowest in 80 years after a dry rainy season, a government official said Sunday, as its share from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers shrinks. Water is a major issue in the country of 46 million people undergoing a serious environmental crisis because of climate change, drought, rising temperatures and declining rainfall. Authorities also blame upstream dams built in neighbouring Iran and Turkey for dramatically lowering the flow of the once-mighty Tigris and Euphrates, which have irrigated Iraq for millennia. 'The summer season should begin with at least 18 billion cubic meters… yet we only have about 10 billion cubic meters,' water resources ministry spokesperson Khaled Shamal told AFP. 'Last year our strategic reserves were better. It was double what we have now,' Shamal said. 'We haven't seen such a low reserve in 80 years,' he added, saying this was mostly due to the reduced flow from the two rivers. Iraq currently receives less than 40 percent of its share from the Tigris and Euphrates, according to Shamal. He said sparse rainfall this winter and low water levels from melting snow has worsened the situation in Iraq, considered by the United Nations to be one of the five countries most vulnerable to some impacts of climate change. Water shortages have forced many farmers in Iraq to abandon the land, and authorities have drastically reduced farming activity to ensure sufficient supplies of drinking water. Agricultural planning in Iraq always depends on water, and this year it aims to preserve 'green spaces and productive areas' amounting to more than 1.5 million Iraqi dunams (375,000 hectares), said Shamal. Last year, authorities allowed farmers to cultivate 2.5 million dunams of corn, rice, and orchards, according to the water ministry. Water has been a source of tension between Iraq and Turkey, which has urged Baghdad to adopt efficient water management plans. In 2024, Iraq and Turkey signed a 10-year 'framework agreement', mostly to invest in projects to ensure better water resources management.
Daily Tribune
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Tribune
Iraq's water reserves lowest in 80 years: official
Iraq's water reserves are at their lowest in 80 years after a dry rainy season, a government official said yesterday, as its share from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers shrinks. Water is a major issue in the country of 46 million people undergoing a serious environmental crisis because of climate change, drought, rising temperatures and declining rainfall. Authorities also blame upstream dams built in neighbouring Iran and Turkey for dramatically lowering the flow of the once-mighty Tigris and Euphrates, which have irrigated Iraq for millennia. 'The summer season should begin with at least 18 billion cubic meters... yet we only have about 10 billion cubic meters,' water resources ministry spokesperson Khaled Shamal told AFP. 'Last year our strategic reserves were better. It was double what we have now,' Shamal said. 'We haven't seen such a low reserve in 80 years,' he added, saying this was mostly due to the reduced flow from the two rivers. Iraq currently receives less than 40 percent of its share from the Tigris and Euphrates, according to Shamal. Agricultural planning in Iraq always depends on water, and this year it aims to preserve 'green spaces and productive areas' amounting to more than 1.5 million Iraqi dunams (375,000 hectares), said Shamal.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Iraq's water reserves lowest in 80 years: Official
Iraq's water reserves lowest in 80 years: Official (Photo: AFP) Iraq's water reserves are at their lowest in 80 years after a dry rainy season, a government official said Sunday, as its share from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers shrinks. Water is a major issue in the country of 46 million people undergoing a serious environmental crisis because of climate change, drought, rising temperatures and declining rainfall. Authorities also blame upstream dams built in neighbouring Iran and Turkey for dramatically lowering the flow of the once-mighty Tigris and Euphrates, which have irrigated Iraq for millennia. "The summer season should begin with at least 18 billion cubic meters... yet we only have about 10 billion cubic meters," water resources ministry spokesperson Khaled Shamal told AFP. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like From Classroom to Stardom: 30 Celebs Before and After Celebrities Undo "Last year our strategic reserves were better. It was double what we have now," Shamal said. "We haven't seen such a low reserve in 80 years," he added, saying this was mostly due to the reduced flow from the two rivers. Iraq currently receives less than 40 percent of its share from the Tigris and Euphrates, according to Shamal. He said sparse rainfall this winter and low water levels from melting snow has worsened the situation in Iraq, considered by the United Nations to be one of the five countries most vulnerable to some impacts of climate change. Water shortages have forced many farmers in Iraq to abandon the land, and authorities have drastically reduced farming activity to ensure sufficient supplies of drinking water. Agricultural planning in Iraq always depends on water, and this year it aims to preserve "green spaces and productive areas" amounting to more than 1.5 million Iraqi dunams (375,000 hectares), said Shamal. Last year, authorities allowed farmers to cultivate 2.5 million dunams of corn, rice, and orchards, according to the water ministry. Water has been a source of tension between Iraq and Turkey, which has urged Baghdad to adopt efficient water management plans. In 2024, Iraq and Turkey signed a 10-year "framework agreement", mostly to invest in projects to ensure better water resources management.
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iraq's Water Reserves Lowest in 80 Years after Dry Rainy Season
Iraq's water reserves are at their lowest in 80 years after a dry rainy season, a government official said Sunday, as its share from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers shrinks. Water is a major issue in the country of 46 million people undergoing a serious environmental crisis because of climate change, drought, rising temperatures and declining rainfall. Authorities also blame upstream dams built in neighbouring Iran and Türkiye for dramatically lowering the flow of the once-mighty Tigris and Euphrates, which have irrigated Iraq for millennia. "The summer season should begin with at least 18 billion cubic meters... yet we only have about 10 billion cubic meters," water resources ministry spokesperson Khaled Shamal told AFP. "Last year our strategic reserves were better. It was double what we have now," Shamal said. "We haven't seen such a low reserve in 80 years," he added, saying this was mostly due to the reduced flow from the two rivers. Iraq currently receives less than 40 percent of its share from the Tigris and Euphrates, according to Shamal. He said sparse rainfall this winter and low water levels from melting snow has worsened the situation in Iraq, considered by the United Nations to be one of the five countries most vulnerable to some impacts of climate change. Water shortages have forced many farmers in Iraq to abandon the land, and authorities have drastically reduced farming activity to ensure sufficient supplies of drinking water. Agricultural planning in Iraq always depends on water, and this year it aims to preserve "green spaces and productive areas" amounting to more than 1.5 million Iraqi dunams (375,000 hectares), said Shamal. Last year, authorities allowed farmers to cultivate 2.5 million dunams of corn, rice, and orchards, according to the water ministry. Water has been a source of tension between Iraq and Türkiye, which has urged Baghdad to adopt efficient water management plans. In 2024, Iraq and Türkiye signed a 10-year "framework agreement", mostly to invest in projects to ensure better water resources management.
