Kurdistan, oil pollution in the Little Zab River

Mr. Hogar Kaifi, Director of the Koya Water Directorate, informed the media that the Little Zab River in the Koya district, east of Erbil, Kurdistan, has been affected by crude oil contamination. There is evidence to suggest that an oil tanker may have been washed into the water source. The pollution was reported by owners of artificial ponds who observed deceased fish along the river. Consequently, water supplies to the local population have been immediately suspended. This interruption of water service, impacting over 100,000 individuals, was deemed necessary to safeguard public health. Local officials have stated that the restoration of water service is contingent upon further assessments, and a specific timeline for the resumption of distribution has not yet been determined. However, Mr. Kaifi has provided reassurance regarding the quality of water delivered to household tanks. The United Nations has designated Iraq as the fifth most susceptible nation to climate change, encompassing water and food insecurity. The nation is confronting significant water scarcity issues, which are intensified by decreased precipitation, elevated temperatures, and inadequate waste management practices.