Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera

Iraq is facing a water crisis, hit by one of its worst droughts in century

A traditional boat is stranded in the mud as water recedes in the drought-striken Chibayish marshes in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province on July 30, 2025 [Asaad Niazi/AFP]

Iraq is experiencing its driest year on record since 1933, as the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, which flow into the Persian Gulf from West Asia, have seen their levels drop by up to 27 percent due to poor rainfall and upstream water restrictions.

In the southern part of the country, a humanitarian crisis caused by drought and water shortages is unfolding in Basra, a vital port and oil hub.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.