For the first time in 16 years, Zakho has seen two artesian wells dry up completely, with water levels in 40 more wells dropping significantly.
This year’s low rainfall has reduced the flow of rivers and streams and also impacted wells across the district. Zakho has 635 artesian wells in total — 250 for drinking water and 385 for agricultural use.
In the villages of Hasan Ava and Beze, the wells that once provided drinking water have now dried up.
Mohammed Yasin, Director of Zakho Groundwater, explained that the farming season ended without major losses. He noted that in September, groundwater levels began to recover, and by October, rainfall helped raise them further.
Yasin confirmed that such a severe situation has not occurred in over a decade and a half. He pointed out that the average depth needed to reach groundwater in Zakho is around 300 meters, which is 200 to 300 meters deeper than in other parts of the Kurdistan Region.
Engineer Salih Hassan, Director of Zakho Water, stated that their water project remains fully operational. He assured that areas facing shortages receive direct supplies from the project. The two villages with dried wells have already had their water issues resolved.