Salahaddin Province declares state of emergency amid heavy rainfall, Kurdistan Region on alert
The measure aims to mobilize all provincial service departments and maintain maximum readiness for potential weather-related emergencies.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Governor of Salahaddin Province declared a state of emergency across the entire governorate on Sunday following intense rainfall and flooding concerns, marking the latest challenge in Iraq's increasingly volatile weather patterns.
According to a statement released by the governor's media office, the emergency declaration was made in accordance with directives from the Iraqi Prime Minister.
The measure aims to mobilize all provincial service departments and maintain maximum readiness for potential weather-related emergencies.
"This preventive step is crucial for providing necessary assistance to residents and mitigating potential flood damage while ensuring public safety," the statement emphasized.
Amer al-Jaberi, Director of Communications at the Iraqi Meteorological Authority, told Kurdistan24 on Saturday that his agency continues to issue advance weather warnings to help institutions and regions prepare for potential flooding. "We're actively working to ensure all areas can implement necessary precautionary measures," al-Jaberi said.
The meteorological official further warned that the Kurdistan Region should brace for heavy rainfall throughout Sunday and Monday, with precipitation expected to affect the entire region.
The emergency declaration comes as Iraq faces increasing challenges from extreme weather events, which experts attribute to climate change. The country has witnessed a marked increase in unusual weather patterns in recent years, oscillating between severe droughts and devastating floods.
Local authorities are urging residents in low-lying areas to stay vigilant and follow safety guidelines issued by civil defense teams. Emergency response units across Salahaddin Province have been placed on high alert to respond to any weather-related incidents.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani directed the Interior Ministry's National Center for Crisis and Disaster Management on Saturday to launch emergency relief operations in response to severe flooding and rainfall affecting Iraq's northern and western provinces.
According to the Prime Minister's Media Office, Al-Sudani called for swift coordination between military and civilian response teams, along with engineering resources, to ensure rapid delivery of essential aid to affected residents.
The directive reflects the government's urgent response to addressing the humanitarian needs in flood-impacted areas, mobilizing all available resources to support local communities.