Iraq's water reserves fall by nearly half to lowest levels in 80 years

Supplies dramatically below those of 2024 as winter rainfall decreases, threatening farms, industry and domestic users

A young boy untangles a fishing net as he stands in an almost dried up stream in Mishkhab, in Iraq's Najaf province on May 24, 2025, where years of drought have negatively affected the fauna and flora of the region. (Photo by Qassem al-KAABI / AFP)

Ducks gather on a muddy spot as a water buffalo cools down in an almost dried up stream in Mishkhab, in Iraq's Najaf province on May 24, 2025, where years of drought have negatively affected the fauna and flora of the region. (Photo by Qassem al-KAABI / AFP)

Waterways in Mishkhab are more thoroughfares than sources of vital supplies as poor winter rains fail to replenish groundwater

Children continued to play in the streams and rivers of Mishkhab despite nature's inability to provide them with adequate water

As children who live by the rivers and streams of Mishkhab grow, so their natural heritage is depleted

An almost dried-up stream flows between fields in Mishkhab, in Najaf province

Water buffalo cool down in a stream in Mishkhab

Iraq's water reserves are at their lowest levels in 80 years after a dry rainy season, a government official said on Sunday, as its intake from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers shrinks.

Water is a major issue in a 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 lowering the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates, which have irrigated Iraq for thousands of years.

Water buffalo find a spot to cool down in an almost dried-up stream in Mishkhab. AFP

“The summer season should begin with at least 18 billion cubic metres … yet we only have about 10 billion cubic metres,” Water Resources Ministry spokesman Khaled Shamal told AFP.

“Last year, our strategic reserves were better. It was double what we have now,” Mr Shamal said.

“We haven't seen such a low reserve in 80 years,” he added, which he said was mostly due to the reduced flow from the two rivers.

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 effects of climate change.

Water shortages have forced many farmers in Iraq to abandon the land, and authorities have 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 Mr Shamal.

Ducks gather on a muddy spot as a water buffalo cools down in Mishkhab. AFP

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.

Watch: Parts of Iraq swelter in summer heat as temperatures peak at 49ºC

Parts of Iraq swelter in summer heat as temperatures peak at 49ºC

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