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Iraq

Iraq Pluvial/Flash Flood 2024 - DREF Operation MDRIQ016

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What happened, where and when?

Flash floods caused by heavy rainfall swept through Iraq’s Dohuk governorate on Tuesday 19 March. As per the Civil Defense Directorate spokesperson, heavy rains caused water inundation across the city, leading to transportation disruptions, and raising concerns about potential floodings, as forecasted by the regional meteorology department. In addition, the mudslides rush down to the roads and Duhok city suffers severe floods. This is caused by the receiving of 80 mm rainwater on Thursday in many districts across the KRI, and more rains are forecasted in the country. Current torrential rains and flooding also caused damage to pavements and road infrastructure. According to the authorities, 16 villages are affected by the floods and have been cut off from the main city due to the blockage of roads. Government authorities are responding and evacuating residents in areas prone to landslides and flash floodings. Heavy floods have also been reported in Erbil city.

The provinces of Diyala, Wassit and Maysan, due to their proximity to neighbouring Iran, also witnessed flooding in the past. The current rain spell resulted in small scale losses due to the flow of floods in the outskirts of Diyala governorate, Baldrouz and Al-Muqdadiyah provinces, where two families are affected. In Maysan, the torrential rains continue and floods flow in the outskirts of the province in rural areas. However, weather forecasts predict more rains leading to additional floods starting on Thursday, 21st March 2024 in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Based on the initial assessment as reported by the Iraqi Red Crescent Society, an estimated number of 921 households were affected in Dohuk and Erbil governorates.

Iraq is facing an increase in extreme weather events, a consequence of the ongoing global climate crisis. The impacts of changing weather patterns have already been felt in recent years, with increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and rising environmental degradation throughout the country. The shift in weather patterns, attributed to global warming, has led to unusual and intense rainfall, disrupting the typical climate cycle. This includes longer periods of both drought and excessive rainfall, driven by higher evaporation rates due to elevated temperatures. Climate change-induced disasters have different impacts on various segments of the population, depending on their level of exposure to hazards and threats, their vulnerability and ability to cope with the adverse impact of disasters, and the level of community resilience. Iraq is ranked 119/182 in the ND-Gain index, reflecting that the population is highly vulnerable to climate change with a low level of readiness. Climate change-induced disasters have different impacts on various segments of the population, depending on their level of exposure to hazards and threats, their vulnerability and ability to cope with the adverse impact of disasters and the level of community resilience. With fewer resources to buffer against shocks and low investment in mitigation, the most vulnerable families suffer disproportionately when disaster strikes and among them vulnerable groups.