Dhi Qar Declares Sayyid Dakhil District a Disaster Area Amid Severe Water Crisis
The Dhi Qar Governorate Council has officially declared Sayyid Dakhil District a disaster zone following a month-long water cutoff, leaving tens of thousands without access to clean drinking water and crippling agriculture in the region.
Water Cutoff Forces Dependence on Tankers
Ahmed Al-Ibrahimi, a member and spokesperson for the Dhi Qar Governorate Council, confirmed to Rudaw that the district has been without piped water for over a month. "Sayyid Dakhil relies on the Tigris River as its primary water source, but while shortages have occurred before, this is the first time the water has completely dried up," he said.
With more than 90,000 residents affected, authorities are now supplying drinking water through tankers—a temporary solution that fails to meet the growing demand.
Agricultural Collapse Triggers Mass Displacement
The crisis has devastated the local economy, as Sayyid Dakhil is a key agricultural region. Over 70% of the population depends on farming, but with no water for irrigation, crops have failed, forcing entire villages to abandon their homes.
"Most villages have been deserted as families migrate to neighboring governorates in search of water and work," Al-Ibrahimi added.
Emergency Measures and Broader Water Shortages
In response, the Dhi Qar Governorate Council has formed an emergency operations room, led by the governor and senior officials, to address the crisis. However, the problem extends beyond Sayyid Dakhil.
The Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources warns that Iraq’s share of water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers has dropped by 70% over the past three years due to climate change and upstream dam projects. Most internal rivers have dried up, exacerbating shortages across southern Iraq.
Calls for Urgent Intervention
Local officials are urging the federal government and international organizations to intervene before the situation worsens. Without immediate action, the humanitarian and economic consequences could deepen, affecting not only Dhi Qar but also other drought-stricken regions in Iraq.
