Baghdad-INA
Minister of Water Resources Muthanna al-Tamimi confirmed on Friday that the ministry is ready to accommodate the water wave coming from the Syrian side, while noting that there are no concerns for the residents living on the banks of the Euphrates River, explaining that the current releases are within normal limits and are subject to continuous field monitoring.
Al-Tamimi said during a press conference during his visit to the Haditha Dam in Anbar Governorate, which was attended by a correspondent from the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The ministry conducted a detailed field visit to the dam to learn about the nature of the potential flood wave coming from the Syrian border, and to follow up on the technical and administrative procedures for accommodating it.”
He added that "the ministry's staff present at the Haditha Dam, along with the technical deputy, the dam director, and the rest of the engineering and technical staff, presented all the details related to the dam's ability to accommodate any quantities of water coming from the Syrian side," stressing that "the ministry is fully prepared to deal with any emergency."
Al-Tamimi explained that "the digital data received from the Syrian side indicates that the water wave will be within normal limits," noting that "the Haditha Dam is capable of handling these quantities without any worrying effects."
He pointed out that "the technical details provided by the dam's management were reassuring, and that the expected storage volume will be positive and significant, especially after the previous years that witnessed a significant decrease in water levels and a clear shortage in water storage."
He explained that "the ministry is working according to an integrated vision to accommodate any incoming water quantities, while ensuring maximum benefit from them to enhance the strategic reserve and secure the summer plan for this year."
Regarding the concerns of residents living near the Euphrates River, the minister affirmed that "all meetings and technical and security reports indicate there is no cause for alarm," emphasizing that "coordination is ongoing with relevant authorities in Anbar Governorate, security agencies, and the Operations Command."
He added that "the Ground Forces Command, security agencies, and local authorities have demonstrated full readiness to deal with any potential emergency," explaining that "things are proceeding smoothly and there are no complications so far."
He explained that "the current water release rate is about 700 cubic meters per second, which is within reasonable limits," stressing that "the ministry is monitoring developments directly and around the clock."
Regarding the possibility of utilizing upcoming water surges to bolster water reserves, the minister emphasized that "the ministry's policy is based on preserving any available water reserves," noting that "water reserves were very low several months ago, but the current situation is better."
He pointed out that “the government, headed by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi, attaches great importance to the water file and seeks to support this vital sector to ensure that it is not exposed to future crises,” noting that “Iraq is working to strengthen understandings and common relations with the upstream countries and the countries through which the Tigris and Euphrates rivers pass, in a way that serves the interests of all and ensures the stability of the water file.”
