Iraq's water reserves rise to 34 billion cubic meters after heavy rainfall, minister says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's water reserves have risen from 5 billion to 34 billion cubic meters following heavy rainfall, Water Resources Minister Müsenna al-Tamimi said on Sunday. The minister told the state news agency that the country's water situation had been extremely difficult at the end of 2025 and the start of 2026, with reserves falling to 5 billion cubic meters, the lowest level since 1933. Al-Tamimi noted that the current level remains less than half of the 60 billion cubic meters recorded in 2021, stressing that water must be conserved for the success of the agricultural season. He said the ministry is monitoring the implementation of the agriculture plan through field visits and coordinating with governors, provincial council members and members of the Iraqi parliament. The minister called on farmers, who he said had been deprived of summer seasons for years, to comply with temporary water allocations and adopt modern irrigation techniques. He described Iraq as one of the countries most affected by climate change and said the water sector had lacked sufficient government attention for years, leaving most existing projects outdated. Al-Tamimi said the government is seeking to shift from open irrigation methods to closed, modern systems if financing is secured, and added that the prime minister places high importance on the water file. He said the ministry has taken initial steps to develop a modern water policy and address accumulated challenges, though no further details were immediately available.