KRG Forecast Office warns of more heavy rain and flash flooding

"I call on residents not to come out or go anywhere unless it is an emergency."

Dler S. Mohammed 2022/01/13 15:07

Flash flooding in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Jan. 13, 2022. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)

Kurdistan flash floods Erbil flash flood KRG Forecast and Earthquake Directorate Omed Khoshnaw

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Directorate of Forecast and Earthquake announced on Thursday that there will be more heavy rain and the risk of more flash floods in the region over the weekend.

"The heavy rains will continue in most parts of Kurdistan Region through the coming days," the KRG Forecast and Earthquake Directorate stated. "The risk of flash floods will continue until Monday."

"The 120-meter street and the Erbil–Pirmam road are blocked because of floods," it added.

Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw held a press conference on Thursday morning where he announced that heavy rain in Erbil caused flooding in some of the city's streets.

"The flooding blocked some streets and roads and caused damage to people's properties and vehicles," Khoshnaw said. "However, so far, no casualties have been recorded among the residents."

"According to the Directorate of Forecast Earthquake information, heavy rains will continue until the early hours of Friday morning. That's why we put all our teams on alert," he added. "I call on residents not to come out or go anywhere unless it is an emergency."

A source at the Erbil Tourism Directorate told Kurdistan 24 that they prepared a number of hotels and motels for residents of neighborhoods at high risk of serious damage from flash floods.

Earlier on Thursday, the Erbil Traffic Police Directorate warned drivers of heavy flooding in Erbil streets.

The Erbil Education Office also canceled the mid-year exams and declared Thursday a school holiday due to the flooding.

Starting in the early hours on Thursday, a thunder and rainstorm hit Erbil, the Kurdistan Region capital, and caused flooding across the city.

Erbil endured two flash floods over the winter. The first occurred in early October and the second in mid-December. The December floods killed 12 people and caused extensive damage to people's houses and vehicles.