Drying up of Tigris River, Iraq

Problems

• The Tigris River is one of the world's most ancient and important waterways. It flows through Iraq, forming part of the Mesopotamian civilization, also known as the cradle of civilization. However, in recent years, the Tigris has faced a serious threat: drying up.

• Climate change and human activity

  Several factors contribute to the decline of the Tigris. One of them is climate change, which has caused droughts, desertification, and rising temperatures in the region. According to the UN, Iraq is among the five countries most exposed to climate change. The World Bank warned that by 2050, a temperature increase of one degree Celsius and a precipitation decrease of 10% would cause a 20% reduction of available freshwater in Iraq.
  
  Another factor is human activity, especially upstream in Turkey, where the Tigris has its source. Turkey has built several dams on the river for hydroelectric power and irrigation, reducing water flow into Iraq. According to Iraqi official statistics, the Tigris entering Iraq has dropped to just 35% of its average over the past century. Iraq has repeatedly asked Turkey to release more water, but Turkey has urged Iraq to use the available water more efficiently.
  
  The Tigris, the lifeline connecting the storied cities of Mosul, Baghdad and Basra, has been choked by dams, most of them upstream in Turkey, and falling rainfall.
  
  The Tigris’s course through Iraq begins in the mountains of northern Iraq’s Kurdish region, near the borders of Turkey and Syria, where local people raise sheep and grow potatoes.
  
  The drying up of the Tigris has severe consequences for Iraq's people and environment. It affects agriculture, fisheries, wildlife, and human health. It also threatens the river's cultural heritage and historical sites, such as ancient temples and palaces. Moreover, it increases the risk of conflicts and tensions over water resources among different groups and countries.
  
  The Tigris River is a vital lifeline for Iraq and its neighbours. It needs urgent action and cooperation to preserve its flow and quality. Otherwise, it may soon become a memory of a lost civilization.