As summer temperatures soar in southern Iraq, alarming declines in water levels in the marshes are signaling an impending environmental crisis. Experts attribute this situation to increased evaporation and reduced flow from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, particularly affecting the Al-Hawizeh Marsh, which has experienced catastrophic fish deaths. The Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources has initiated measures to increase water flow to the marshes, but experts warn that the crisis is exacerbated by upstream water consumption and insufficient management strategies.
The Iraqi marshes, a UNESCO World Heritage site and vital economic resource, are under severe threat from drought and mismanagement. Environmental experts are calling for urgent action to allocate appropriate water shares and restore the marshes' ecological balance. With predictions indicating that Iraq could face a future without rivers, the need for sustainable water management and international cooperation has never been more critical.
