Lake Hamrin: Key Iraq irrigation reservoir close to drying out

HAMRIN, Iraq: A top official warned Friday that Iraq’s Lake Hamrin, a once-vast reservoir northeast of Baghdad that is the only source of water for irrigation in Diyala province, is practically dry.

The source told AFP that years of low rainfall and a severe decline in the flow of water down the Sirwan River from Iran have transformed much of the lake to a dust bowl.

“The water level has dropped dramatically – reserves are now at 130 million cubic metres, down from two billion cubic metres,” said Aoun Dhiab, a senior adviser in the water ministry.

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The protracted drought, as well as Iranian dam development and river diversion projects upstream, are all to blame, according to Dhiab.

Water levels had dropped to dangerously low levels before, according to Dhiab. “The lake fully dried up in 2009.” There was nothing but a stream.”

He stated that the influence on nearby agriculture should not be overlooked.

“The volume arriving in Lake Hamrin is the volume used throughout the province because there are no other sources of water.”
He claimed that the government had requested that Iran enhance water flow across the border. Otherwise, the only thing left to do was hope for more rain next year.

The problem is not exclusive to the province of Diyala. Iraq will lose 20% of its water supplies by 2020, according to the World Bank, unless dramatic adjustments are made.

The country is one of the five most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and desertification. Due to water limitations, rice and wheat producers’ quotas were decreased this year.

Iraq’s upstream neighbours, Iran, Turkey, and Syria, all have similar deficiencies, therefore its pleas for assistance are often ignored.