Iraq warns of rising salinity in Shatt al-Arab, affecting Basra residents

Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources warned on Monday that saltwater intrusion in the Shatt al-Arab River is worsening, threatening drinking water supplies in Basra due to declining water releases from upstream sources.

News

Basra authorities investigating protests against salty water

In a statement, Basra’s police said that “an investigation was ordered to determine the details of the incidents and take legal actions against those responsible.”

News

Basra residents protest salty water crisis

In Basra’s Tamimiya and Hayyaniya districts, residents on Sunday evening blocked major roads and set tires on fire to protest the ongoing crisis of salty water flowing into their homes. Their actions prompted a response from the province’s civil defense.

News

Water crisis in Basra’s Deir threatens health, safety

Deir district in northern Basra is facing a severe water crisis, with high salt levels making water unsafe for drinking or farming. Residents and officials told The New Region that the crisis has impacted the ecosystem and that more than 400 people have fallen sick.

News

PM Sudani approves water charges exemption for Basra residents amid saltwater crisis

Ongoing issues with the high salinity of water in Basra province have led to water shortages in southern Iraq, with the measure seeking to alleviate the financial burden on struggling households.

News

Sudani calls for action amid worsening water pollution in Basra

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani led a meeting to address poor public services and environmental challenges in northern Basra.

News

Iraq blames low water flow for mass fish deaths in southern marshes

Images of masses of dead fish in marshlands near Najaf have circulated on social media.

News

Residents in northern Basra protest water pollution crisis

Local residents complain of "an environmental disaster" as a contaminated water supply has left them without clean water for the past three days.

News

Global water and sanitation challenges going forward

1.4 million people die every year due to lack of access to safely managed water and sanitation

News