Iraq’s Water Reserves at Lowest Level in 80 Years Due to Smaller River Flows and Climate Change: Report

Iraq’s Water Reserves at Lowest Level in 80 Years Due to Smaller River Flows and Climate Change: Report

Iraq’s water supply has dropped to its lowest level in 80 years after a very dry rainy season and less water flowing in its rivers, AFP reported on Sunday, quoting a government official. This shows the growing environmental problems the country is facing.

Water Shortage

The Tigris and Euphrates rivers have always been very important for Iraq’s farming and cities. But now, there is much less water in these rivers. This is mostly because of dams built by Turkey and Iran upstream.

The problem is made worse by climate change. There has been less rain, higher temperatures, and long dry periods.

Khaled Shamal, a spokesperson for Iraq’s water ministry, told AFP news agency:
“In summer, we should have at least 18 billion cubic meters of water, but now we only have about 10 billion.”
He said last year, the water reserves were twice as much as they are now. This is the lowest amount in 80 years. The main reason is less water coming from the two rivers.

Iraq has 46 million people but now gets less than 40% of the water it normally expects from the Tigris and Euphrates.

Surprising fact

The United Nations says Iraq is one of the five countries most at risk from climate change problems.

Effects of the shortage

This winter was very dry, and there was not enough snow melting upstream. This made the water shortage worse. The government had to take strong actions. They cut back farming to save water for drinking and to keep important green areas alive.

Shamal said: “Farming in Iraq always depends on water. This year, we are trying to save green spaces and good farming land covering more than 1.5 million dunams (375,000 hectares).”
Last year, farmers were able to use 2.5 million dunams, growing crops like corn, rice, and fruit trees.

Because of less water, many farmers had to leave their land since they can’t water their crops anymore.

There have also been fights between Iraq and Turkey about sharing water. Turkey wants Iraq to manage water better. To reduce tensions, both countries signed a 10-year agreement in 2024 to work together and invest in managing water resources.

Published: 26th May 2025

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