Water resources: continued reduction of Tigris releases

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[size=52]Water resources: continued reduction of Tigris releases[/size]

[size=45]Baghdad / Hussein Hatem[/size]
[size=45]The water crisis continues to trouble the Iraqis without realistic solutions, and despite calls to reconsider the current agricultural and water policy, which causes large amounts of water to be lost, the stalemate is still dominant on the file.[/size]
[size=45]Aoun Diab, a consultant to the Ministry of Water Resources, said that "there are measures adopted to confront the upcoming summer season, with modest water reserves in dams and reservoirs."[/size]
[size=45]Diab added, "The currently available water storage provides all the needs of human domestic consumption and drinking water, and secures the environmental situation in the rivers region, especially in the Shatt al-Arab region, to prevent the expansion of the salt tongue in Basra Governorate, at the expense of other areas more than the Shatt al-Arab."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that "the levels of the Tigris River will decrease significantly and clearly," noting that "the reduction is calculated and controlled for the purpose of securing water platforms for drinking purposes."[/size]
[size=45]Diab indicated that "the reduction of water releases in the Tigris River will continue until next June," adding that "our entry into the summer season will require the release of other quantities of water."[/size]
[size=45]He stated, that "there is joint cooperation and coordination between Baghdad and the region," noting that "the region recently signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of dams, knowing that the dams mentioned in this memorandum are part of our strategic study, and the region was not alone in identifying them."[/size]
[size=45]Diab explained that "there is currently coordination regarding the operation of dams and reservoirs in the region according to a joint plan, with the exception of the last dams with which a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Water in the region with a foreign company."[/size]
[size=45]In turn, water expert Adel Al-Mukhtar says, "We have previously warned of the danger of drought and have called for a review of agricultural policy on more than one occasion, but there are no deaf ears."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Mukhtar added, “There is a possibility of reducing the summer agricultural plan for the second time,” warning against “the overuse of groundwater that takes place without planning, as the use of groundwater in this way may harm the public interest.”[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out, "dangerous indicators threaten the future of agriculture in Iraq, including the disappearance of Lake Sawa and the increase in pollution in Al-Razzaza to large degrees."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Mukhtar asked, “What if the next winter is also dry?”, pointing out that “Iraq has entered the stage of danger, and if there are no real solutions, we may enter into a water scarcity crisis in Diyala and other river areas,” calling for “merging the ministries of agriculture and resources.” Water in one ministry.[/size]
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