Iraq: Floods - Mar 2025

On Thursday, March 7, 2025, most of the governorates of Iraq witnessed unprecedented heavy rains that lasted for three consecutive days, straining the capacity of the water channels and drainage networks which led to a rise in the water level and widespread flooding. Major cities such as Al Anbar, Erbil, Al Qadisiyyah, Diyala, and Thi Qar were affected, flooding streets, causing road disruptions, and the suspension of basic services, most notably sewage, power plants, potable water, and communications. Due to the severity of its impact, most governorates were forced to suspend the official working hours of schools and universities in order to ensure the safety of citizens. In Baghdad, the heavy rainfall, which measured over 72 millimetres in just one hour, far surpassed the city's infrastructure limits, which can handle only between 24 and 38 millimetres per hour. Residential areas and roads were inundated, leading to traffic chaos and property damage. The Kurdistan Region also experienced widespread flooding, with reports of homes and businesses being affected. Authorities have been working to manage the emergency, but the scale of the flooding has overwhelmed local resources. Heavy flooding was also reported in Babil and Karbala governorates, where main roads are submerged, particularly in the cities. (IFRC, 25 Mar 2025)