Floods hit iraqi kurdistan region
Heavy rains trigger deadly floods across Kurdistan provinces
At least two people were killed and four injured after intense rainfall triggered flash floods across Iraq’s Kurdistan region, officials said. Torrents swept through Chamchamal district in Sulaymaniyah province, inundating streets, damaging homes and leaving two children reported missing. Emergency teams said victims were swept away by fast-moving water after drainage systems were overwhelmed; residents shared video of stranded vehicles, submerged shopfronts and families hauling belongings to higher ground.
Flooding also hit parts of Erbil and Duhok provinces. Local disaster units carried out rescues, removed mud and debris from blocked roads, and assessed structural damage to dozens of houses, with some families temporarily displaced while safety inspections proceeded. Municipal crews worked to reopen main routes as recovery operations began. Meteorologists described the storm system as unusually intense for the season and warned additional showers could follow, prompting authorities to urge caution and avoidance of low-lying areas.
Officials blamed a combination of extreme rainfall, aging drainage infrastructure and rapid urban expansion for exacerbating flood impacts in the region’s mountainous terrain, where narrow valleys and dry riverbeds turned into sudden torrents. Access problems in remote districts slowed search-and-rescue efforts and raised concerns that the casualty figure could climb as teams reach harder-hit locations. Humanitarian groups and local agencies mobilized to monitor needs, prioritize aid for displaced families and coordinate emergency support where access allows.
The floods disrupted daily life and local services, with reports of stranded motorists, interrupted supply routes and partial closures of damaged properties. Authorities advised residents to follow guidance from emergency services and to report missing persons to coordinating centers. Cleanup and damage assessments are ongoing as communities begin recovery, with officials stressing the need for strengthened infrastructure and improved flood-preparedness measures to reduce vulnerability to future extreme-weather events.
