Peregraf — Authorities in the Kurdistan Region reported a sharp surge in water inflows across major dams over the past 24 hours, as sustained rainfall continued to push reservoirs toward capacity and heighten flood risks.
According to the General Directorate of Dams and Water Storage at the Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Dukan Dam and Darbandikhan Dam together received approximately 242 million cubic meters of water in a single day. Water levels rose by 83 centimeters at Dukan and 30 centimeters at Darbandikhan.
At the Duhok Dam, inflows reached 2.5 million cubic meters, raising water levels by one meter and bringing the reservoir close to its stated maximum capacity. The Gomespan Dam recorded an additional 0.5 million cubic meters of inflow.
Officials said smaller and medium-sized dams across the region have now reached full capacity and are overflowing, reflecting the intensity of the ongoing rainfall system.
Authorities stated that water releases from the Darbandikhan Dam would be increased to manage rising water levels, while reiterating urgent safety warnings for residents to stay away from the Sirwan River and its downstream banks due to the risk of sudden surges.
"The water storage and release plan is being managed scientifically and successfully," the statement said.
The surge follows days of heavy rainfall that have already placed key infrastructure under pressure. Darbandikhan Dam has begun controlled overflow, while Duhok Dam is nearing its limit and may soon follow.
The Dukan Dam, the largest in the Kurdistan Region, has seen its water level rise by approximately 20 meters since the beginning of the year. With a stated storage capacity of around 7 billion cubic meters, it remains central to the region's water management system. Darbandikhan, the second-largest, can hold up to 2.6 billion cubic meters, while Duhok Dam has a stated capacity of 52 million cubic meters.
Together, Dukan and Darbandikhan account for the vast majority of the region's water storage capacity, out of a total exceeding 10 billion cubic meters across more than 15 dams.
Officials also noted that more than 20 smaller dams have already overflowed amid persistent rainfall, underscoring the scale of the current weather system. Meteorological forecasts indicate that rain is expected to continue for at least another ten days, with varying intensity across different areas.
The developments highlight both the capacity and the limitations of the Kurdistan Region's water infrastructure, as authorities seek to balance flood control with the long-term need to secure water resources.