Shafaq News- Babil
After years of severe drought that struck Iraq beginning in2020 and peaked in 2024, when water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates riversfell to critical levels, the 2025-2026 winter season brought abundant rainfall,snowfall, and increased water releases from Turkiye, reviving hopes for therecovery of agriculture, livestock grazing and breeding, as well as otherwater-dependent livelihoods.
Shafaq News correspondents observed a noticeable rise in thewater level of the Euphrates River in Babil province, located roughly midwayalong the river’s course through Iraq. Ground and aerial footage from Al-Kifldistrict, south of Babil, showed the river flowing more vigorously than duringthe years of drought that affected the area.
As water levels increased, fishermen returned to the riverin greater numbers, while other professions that had nearly disappeared due todrought also began to recover. Agriculture, the backbone of the local economyin Al-Kifl, has shown signs of improvement, while grazing lands have alsorecovered, benefiting livestock herders.
The river has also become a refuge for young people seekingrelief from rising temperatures, which are often accompanied by reducedelectricity supply.
According to statements from relevant authorities, water releasesinto the Euphrates during recent months have been favorable and are expected tosupport agricultural activity and other sectors.
The previous years of drought had severe consequences forwater-dependent sectors. In addition to the sharp decline in agriculturalactivity, the drying up of tributaries and vast areas of marshlands and waterbodies across central and southern Iraq triggered large-scale migration amonglivestock breeders, particularly buffalo herders whose livelihoods dependheavily on access to water.
The drought also affected industries linked to buffalo andcattle breeding, leading to a decline in the production of milk and dairyproducts, including yogurt, cheese, and qaymar (clotted cream), as well ascertain traditional industries that rely on reeds as a primary raw material.
: Euphrates flood wave approaches Iraq: Water lifeline or emerging threat?
