ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Thousands of nomads and herders migrate to the highland regions of Balakayati and Bradost on a yearly basis. However, this year, due to low rainfall, there has been a shortage of pasture for their livestock, making it difficult to continue their annual traditions.

The high mountains of Sakran and Pirzhe resort have little snow left, and the water sources have diminished. This has made life harder for the highland herders, and fewer nomads are being seen in their traditional summer pastures.

The herders and nomads say there is a high chance that the production of dairy products will be reduced by half compared to the years with higher rainfall.

Fatima Hamid, a nomadic woman from Balakayati recalls the highlands’ chill and how, in the past, she would make dairy products from the milk of her goats and her sheep. But this year, the yield is not satisfactory.

“Starting from the summer season, around June, we come to the Weza highlands. We have always done that,” Fatima told The New Region. “This year there was a drought. There is no pasture and very little water. It has made life difficult for us and the animals alike.”

The reduction of water sources and the absence of good pastures have made the nomads and herders’ lives more difficult. They have been forced to descend from higher elevations closer to the water sources and the springs in the valleys.

“There is not much pasture, unlike last year. Last year the pasture was nice,” said Kaywan Latif, a young shepherd. “We have to wake up early in the morning, looking for pastures, which you cannot find in the valleys and need to go up.”

“This year, the low rainfall has significantly impacted our livelihoods, the highlands, and the water sources,” said Mohammed Hussein, a herder. “There are absolutely no pastures this year, so do not expect a lot of domestic products.”

Nomads usually migrate to the highlands around June every year and graze their animals in the pastures. This year, however, they fear that the low rainfall might cause them to lose their herds due to heat and scarcity.