environment
‘No water, no life’: Iraq’s Tigris River in danger of disappearing
Unless urgent action is taken life will be fundamentally altered for the ancient communities who live on its banks
TL;DR
- The Tigris River in Iraq is facing severe pollution and is at risk of drying up.
- The river is crucial for irrigation, transport, industry, power generation, and drinking water for an estimated 18 million Iraqis.
- The Mandaean religious community, with ancient roots in southern Iraq, relies on the river for their faith and survival.
- Decades of conflict, sanctions, and under-resourced infrastructure have led to sewage and waste flowing into the river.
- Agricultural runoff, industrial waste (including from the oil sector), and medical refuse further pollute the water.
- Dams built by Turkey and Iran upstream have significantly reduced the water flow into Iraq.
- Iraq's overuse of water, particularly in agriculture, exacerbates the problem.
- Climate change is contributing to a decline in precipitation and increased drought conditions.
- An "oil-for-water" agreement between Iraq and Turkey aims to tackle pollution and improve water management but has faced criticism.
- The dwindling river poses an existential threat to the Mandaean community in Iraq.