US EditionWater Levels Plummet at Drought-Hit Iraqi Reservoir
KURDISTAN REGION, IRAQ, JUN 21 – The Dukan Dam reservoir's water level has fallen to 24 percent, forcing stricter rationing for four million people amid drought and upstream damming by Iran and Turkey.
- Water levels at Iraq's Dukan Dam reservoir in northern Kurdistan have plummeted by 56 percent between May 2019 and June 2025, leaving three quarters empty.
- The decline results from climate change effects, irregular and low rainfall of 220 millimetres compared to a typical 600 millimetres, and upstream damming by Iran.
- A declining water supply from the Dukan reservoir has affected the lives of about four million people in the downstream governorates of Sulaimaniyah and Kirkuk, leading to a 40 percent reduction in water delivered to treatment facilities in Kirkuk.
- Kochar Jamal Tawfeeq stated that the lake currently holds approximately 1.6 billion cubic metres of water, which is about 24 percent of its full capacity. Karim added that in cases where some treatment facilities face challenges in water supply, measures will be taken to prevent complete disruptions so that everyone continues to receive their allocation.
- The shrinking reservoir and drought have forced stricter rationing and more infrequent distributions, contributing to failed harvests with local farmers losing nearly $5,700 in yield.
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13 Articles
The New Arab
World NewsWater levels plummet at drought-hit Iraqi Dukan Dam reservoir
Water levels at Iraq's vast Dukan Dam reservoir have plummeted as a result of dwindling rains and further damming upstream, hitting millions of inhabitants already impacted by drought with stricter water rationing. Amid these conditions, visible cracks have emerged in the retreating shoreline of the artificial lake, which lies in northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region and was created in the 1950s. Dukan Lake has been left three quarters emp…
Al-Monitor
Water levels plummet at drought-hit Iraqi reservoir
Water levels at Iraq's vast Dukan Dam reservoir have plummeted as a result of dwindling rains and further damming upstream, hitting millions of inhabitants already impacted by drought with stricter water rationing.Amid these conditions, visible cracks have emerged in the retreating shoreline of the artificial lake, which lies in northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region and was created in the 1950s.
In the Tunca River, one of Edirne's important water resources, the flow of water has come to a standstill in some parts of the river due to increased evaporation due to drought and extreme heat. Metin Özkan, a local resident, said, "I have never seen the water level of the Tunca River drop this much. I know times when it was flowing very fast here. The water is decreasing day by day."
June 21, 2025 Baghdad/Bassland: Iraq is facing an unprecedented water crisis that threatens to exacerbate the drought during the current year... the article appeared as a water safe at a minimum: Iraq is struggling with the ghost of thirst first on the parade.
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