Erbil Holds Preparatory Meeting to Develop Long-Term Solutions to Flash Flooding

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw chaired a preparatory meeting on Wednesday to discuss measures to prevent unexpected flash flooding in Erbil province, following recent flash flooding incidents in the city.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the prime minister's visit to the Erbil Governorate Office, brought together the Crisis Management Operations Room, representatives of relevant drainage and irrigation directorates, Erbil Municipality officials, governorate teams, and specialized engineers.

According to a statement from the Erbil Governorate, discussions focused on the causes of rainwater accumulation, particularly water flowing into Erbil from surrounding highland areas, as well as damage caused by previous flooding incidents and measures already implemented.

Participants stressed the need for a comprehensive strategic plan and sustainable solutions to address the problem at its source.

Proposed measures included preparing a master plan for Erbil's stormwater drainage network to collect and channel rainwater from the city and surrounding areas, strengthening coordination among relevant institutions, and developing practical measures to protect residents, their property, and the city's infrastructure.

At the end of the meeting, all relevant teams were instructed to remain on high alert and be prepared to respond promptly to emergencies and prevent potential flooding.

Severe flash floods swept through Erbil on Saturday night following torrential rainfall that significantly exceeded initial meteorological forecasts.

Although authorities had initially forecast approximately 30 millimeters of rainfall, nearly 80 millimeters fell on the city, inundating streets and major roads and turning several thoroughfares into fast-flowing waterways.

Local authorities confirmed that two people had died in the flooding.

One victim was a five-year-old child who was swept away by floodwaters from a vehicle in which he was travelling with his father. While the father managed to escape, rescue teams recovered the child's body following an intensive search operation.

The second victim was a 25-year-old volunteer who lost his life while attempting to rescue people stranded by the floods. He had brought his own front-end loader to assist evacuation efforts but was swept away by the powerful currents.