Economic Developments – Baghdad
Iraq’s Minister of Water Resources, Aoun Dhiab Abdullah, has announced an increase in available water resources compared to previous years, ensuring the nation is better prepared for summer demands.
During a press conference, Dhiab emphasized the significance of a recent meeting held in Basra, which included consultations with the governor of Basra alongside key stakeholders and the head of the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee. The primary agenda was to address the Shatt al-Arab waterway, deemed critical to maintaining fresh water supplies and its overall health amidst prevailing environmental challenges.
Dhiab highlighted ongoing changes in the water levels of Shatt al-Arab and detailed plans for a dedicated workshop aimed at comprehensively studying these variations. To facilitate this, a reliable consultancy firm has been commissioned to conduct an in-depth analysis of the region’s water challenges. The solutions derived from this study are expected to serve as a strategic framework to mitigate the intrusion of saline water, preserve the quality of freshwater, and support sustainable agricultural and drinking water requirements.
He noted that, over the past two years, stability has been achieved in the northern stretches of the Shatt al-Arab, although the southern areas remain vulnerable to factors such as tidal influences from the Gulf. These factors, compounded by meteorological conditions, have led to increased salinity levels. Efforts are underway to address these issues to restore equilibrium.
Furthermore, Dhiab revealed a strategic plan involving geometric designs aimed at tackling salt concentration issues, particularly in regions like the Hour Al-Shafi. This initiative seeks to ensure the influx of water into critical areas, thus avoiding conditions that would exacerbate salinity in the Shatt al-Arab.
The Minister expressed optimism regarding Iraq’s improved water storage levels, highlighting that current resources surpass those of the previous year. This progress reflects effective management practices aimed at adequately fulfilling summer water needs without shortages, alongside efforts to enhance storage capabilities consistently.
While there are calls for increased water releases from the ministry, Dhiab asserted that the ministry operates under a thorough plan to optimize water usage while minimizing waste through strategic water release management.
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