Floods hit Kurdistan region as drought leaves many Iraqis in need
Parts of northern Iraq have been hit by flooding after a year marked by drought, which many say is due to climate change likely to worsen in the coming years.
ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan — Muddy torrents rushed violently through some parts of the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan and the surrounding area Dec. 17, smashing homes, submerging vehicles and sweeping away people.
The floods and accompanying storm left at least 12 dead, including two foreign nationals. One was reportedly killed by lightning.
Of the two still missing as of Dec. 21, one was an infant presumed dead.
Local media outlet Rudaw quoted the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Minister of Municipalities and Tourism Sasan Awni on Dec. 20 as saying that the flooding had “damaged nearly 3,000 houses and over 150 businesses,” destroying over 400 homes entirely.
