Water Resources Minister Awn Dhiab Abdullah announced that “El Niño's negative impact” on Iraq is increasing, with 12 provinces now relying exclusively on groundwater, as the ministry prepares advanced studies for constructing ten dams for water harvesting in desert areas.

Climate change is becoming increasingly damaging to urban populations, and officials in the Middle East are now warning that entire cities could be in danger of mass water shortages and desertion if trends continue in the warming direction. El Niño is an abnormal rise in surface water temperature in the eastern Pacific Ocean that affects weather patterns worldwide. The announcement comes as Iraq suffers from persistent high temperatures of over 50°C (122° Faranheit).

The minister described the current water shortage as the most dangerous in the country's history, forcing 12 provinces to depend entirely on groundwater to meet their various needs, 964 Network reported on July 13.

Abdullah explained that these dams aim to store floodwater and rainwater for investment in strengthening strategic reserves, particularly in provinces suffering from absence of surface water resources.

"The shortage the country is experiencing is the most dangerous in its history, forcing 12 provinces to rely exclusively on groundwater to cover their various needs," the minister said.

The minister confirmed these measures are part of an urgent strategy to ensure water security and reduce dependence on traditional sources, stressing the importance of cooperation between government entities and the private sector to accelerate water harvesting project implementation.

Abdullah revealed that more than half of Iraq's desert area depends on groundwater, with residents of the western desert, Jazeera and Samawa, and other areas distant from surface water sources relying on it for essential needs.

The groundwater wells face two problems threatening underground reserves: numerous unlicensed wells and failure to comply with scientific principles for their distribution and drilling.

Sixty field teams from the General Authority for Well Drilling directorates across 12 provinces, in cooperation with security forces, are removing violations of water quotas by filling thousands of fish ponds and closing flowing wells that feed them, whilst pursuing unlicensed drilling equipment.

The ministry has completed studies and designs for two dams – Abu Takiya in Nineveh and Al-Abyad in Karbala – plus two water barriers in Nineveh province.

"There are ten other dams under study and design: Al-Naft in Diyala province, Al-Kharaz, Al-Tahuli, Al-Muhandis, Abu Ghar, Jadala and Qazalkand, with three water barriers in Nineveh province, plus Al-Ghanami in Muthanna, and Abu Khamsa and Al-Milh in Najaf," Abdullah said.

A series of severe heatwaves swept across the Middle East in 2025, breaking temperature records and putting immense pressure on health systems, energy infrastructure and water resources, Reuters reported on July 6.

Across the region, temperatures surpassed 50°C (122°F) from May, prompting the Iranian Meteorological Organisation to issue rare heat alerts. Power outages were reported in major cities as electricity demand soared. Dust storms exacerbated air quality concerns, with hospitals in Tehran and Baghdad admitting increased numbers of patients suffering from heat exhaustion and respiratory issues.

Earlier in July, parts of the Arabian Peninsula, including Bahrain, Kuwait and eastern Saudi Arabia, recorded temperatures up to 50°C. The Bahrain Meteorological Directorate forecast highs of 47°C, with persistent heat above 44°C. Local media reported that schools in Kuwait City closed early to protect students from the extreme conditions.

The World Health Organization’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, said: “We are witnessing a clear increase in the frequency and severity of heatwaves across the region, which poses significant risks to public health and livelihoods.”

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Middle East is warming at twice the global average rate, making such extreme events more common. The United Nations Environment Programme noted that climate change is likely to intensify heatwaves and droughts in the coming years.