Najaf clears 250 km of rivers, canals and drainage lines in agricultural season campaign

NAJAF, Iraq — The Najaf Irrigation and Drainage Projects Maintenance Directorate said it has cleared 250 kilometers of rivers, canals and drainage lines as part of the agricultural season works that began on June 1, 2026. Directorate head Aysir Telef Hadi said the initial target was 600 kilometers, later raised to 800 kilometers with the addition of 200 kilometers. Work is expected to be completed by July 15. Crews have finished removing water hyacinth from the Jahat, Diwaniya and Sawariya rivers in the Mishkhab district, while operations on the Euphrates River are still underway. Hadi said the impact of the invasive plant has been exaggerated on social media, noting that it does not significantly affect water volume and that its roots do not anchor to the riverbed. According to the directorate, the plant does not directly harm fish species, with some fish feeding on its roots, though dense foliage blocks sunlight and negatively affects submerged vegetation. The campaign is using 27 long-reach excavators, three short-reach excavators, five amphibious excavators and one dredger. Native to South America, the water hyacinth entered Iraq about 20 years ago and was added to the European Commission's list of invasive plants requiring control in 2016.