Baghdad Struggles with Torrential Rainfall as Floodwaters Rise Across Iraq
The recent extreme weather has raised concerns about Iraq’s urban infrastructure and its ability to handle severe climate conditions. The capital’s drainage system is struggling with the increased intensity of seasonal storms.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi capital was overwhelmed by an unprecedented downpour on Friday, as torrential rains battered Baghdad, exceeding the city’s drainage capacity by more than 100%. The heavy rainfall, which measured over 72 millimeters in just one hour, far surpassed the city’s infrastructure limits, which can handle only between 24 and 38 millimeters per hour.
Mohammed al-Rubaie, the media and relations officer at the Baghdad Municipality, described the deluge as an extreme weather event that severely tested the city's drainage network.
“After two hours of continuous heavy rain, water pumps were deployed, and so far, 90 percent of the accumulated rainwater has been cleared from the streets,” al-Rubaie stated.
He assured residents that within a few hours, all remaining floodwaters would be drained, restoring normal traffic flow in the capital.
Currently, the Karada municipality is spearheading clean-up efforts, with 17 specialized teams working across different districts to remove standing water. According to al-Rubaie, these operations will persist until weather conditions stabilize.
The impact of the storm extended beyond Baghdad.
The spokesperson to Iraq's meteorology and seismology directorate, Amer al-Jabri, confirmed that the wave of rainfall would continue until noon on Saturday.
He reported that, in addition to Baghdad, heavy rains have inundated several other provinces, including Wasit, Anbar, Fallujah, and Qaim. The meteorological authority also warned of dense fog expected to blanket parts of the country following the storms.
Floodwaters from Iran Reach Iraqi Border Areas
Meanwhile, in Iraq’s eastern Diyala province, the consequences of extreme weather were compounded by an influx of floodwaters from Iran. Yahya Qanbar, Director of the Qazaniya sub-district, informed local media that early on Saturday morning, a significant flood wave from Iranian territory surged across the eastern border regions of Diyala, particularly affecting the sub-district of Qazaniya and district of Mandali.
The floods affected multiple areas, including Kalal Valley (also known as Greater Tarsaq Valley), as well as Oil Valley, Lima, Tahlaw, Mwailih, and Tarsaq, within Iraqi territory, according to statements reported by Shafaq News Agency.
However, Qanbar confirmed that no material or human losses had been recorded in the border areas despite the heavy rains and storms in the past few hours..
Concerns Over Infrastructure Preparedness
This latest extreme weather event has reignited concerns about Iraq’s urban infrastructure and its ability to cope with increasingly severe climate conditions. The capital’s drainage system, already under strain, is struggling to keep pace with the growing intensity of seasonal storms.
The government’s swift response in deploying emergency teams has mitigated some of the immediate impact, but experts warn that long-term solutions are needed to prevent similar crises in the future.
As the rain subsides, authorities remain on high alert, closely monitoring flood-prone areas and ensuring that relief efforts continue uninterrupted. The full extent of the damage caused by this sudden deluge remains to be assessed, but for many Iraqis, the need for improved weather resilience has never been clearer.