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What happened, where and when?
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.
In Diyala governorates, the consequences of extreme weather were compounded by an influx of floodwater. As per the media report, significant flooding from Iranian territory surged across the eastern border of Diyala, particularly affecting the sub-district of Qazaniya and the district of Mandali. The floods affected multiple areas, including Kalal Valley (also known as Greater Tarsaq Valley), as well as Oil Valley, Lima, Tahlaw, Mwailih, and Tarsaq. the torrential rains continue and
The Baghdad Operations Command announced a full mobilization, deploying specialized vehicles to assist municipal teams in draining floodwaters. Wasit Governor declared an emergency, placing municipal, civil defense, and emergency medical teams on high alert. He urged residents to avoid traveling between districts, particularly on highways, while assuring that there was no risk of flash floods in border areas. In Al-Muthanna, officials warned residents to limit movement unless necessary due to ongoing heavy rainfall. Emergency teams remain on high alert under direct orders from the governor to mitigate damage and restore normalcy as soon as possible.
The heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding have exacerbated the already dire conditions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bzeibiz Camp in Al Anbar. Many IDP camps, which house families displaced by years of conflicts and instability, were severely affected by the floods. Temporary shelters were inundated, leaving families without proper safety and protection. Essential infrastructure, such as water and sanitation facilities damaged, further compromising the living conditions of the displaced population. In Anbar, where thousands of IPs reside, the floods disrupted access to basic services and humanitarian aid, compounding their vulnerability. Similarly, in southern regions, IDP communities faced significant challenges as floodwaters overwhelmed their camps, forcing many to relocate once again.