Rahman Khani, director general of dams and water reservoirs in the Kurdistan Region, told Rudaw that this year’s rainfall has significantly boosted water levels across the Region.
“During this year’s rainy season, around 1.5 billion cubic meters of water have been accumulated in the dams,” Khani said.
According to official figures, the Kurdistan Region has 25 dams. While the bulk of the stored water is concentrated in four major dams—Dukan, Darbandikhan, Gomaspan, and Duhok—the heavy rainfall has filled most small dams to capacity, leading to spillovers.
Several small dams used for irrigation and fish farming have overflowed, including Jali, Degala, Chamarga, Aqoban, Hamamok, Bastora, and Shiwa Sur in Erbil province; Dewana, Awespi, Baweshaswar, Hasan Kanush, Chami Smor, and Qadir Karam in Sulaimani province; as well as Khins, Bedohi, and Kashkan in Duhok province.
Rainfall across the Kurdistan Region has increased markedly this year compared to last season. In most areas, precipitation has doubled, while some locations have recorded up to three times last year’s rainfall, according to local authorities.
Soran Hussein contributed to this article from Erbil, Kurdistan Region.