Erbil to implement new projects to prevent flash floods
The governor described the projects as “strategic”.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Erbil is set to concrete two rainwater canals and a bridge in a bid to thwart flash floods that had affected the Kurdish capital in previous years.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has decreed the two billion and 100 million IQD budget for concreting two water canals and building an eight-arch bridge that is located outside Erbil city and aimed at reducing the risk of flashfloods, Omed Khoshnaw, Erbil governor, announced on Wednesday.
The governor described the projects as “strategic” and will be implemented in the Gird Jotiar, Corniche, and Shamamik areas in Erbil, according to the governor.
In the areas, where the projects will be implemented, heavy flash floods occurred in 2021, resulting in a dozen of causalities. The damage ensued was estimated to at 21 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $14 million).
Erbil authorities have taken several measures since then to reduce the risk of flash floods by cleaning street drainage systems ahead of the expected heavy rain forecast.
Previously in July, Khoshnaw announced that six billion Iraqi dinars ($4.6 million) were allocated to overcome water shortages in the dry months of July, August, and September.
