Dhi qar: The Ministry of Water Resources announced the construction of new barriers to curb the spread of water hyacinth in Dhi Qar Governorate.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry stated, “Based on the directives of the Minister of Water Resources, Dr. Muthanna al-Tamimi, the Iraqi General Company for Irrigation Projects, one of the Ministry’s formations, has begun installing new barriers to limit the spread of water hyacinth on the Euphrates and Gharraf rivers within Dhi Qar Governorate.” The engineering and technical staff of the Iraqi General Company for Irrigation Projects, under the supervision and monitoring of the Dhi Qar Water Resources Directorate and the Gharraf Basin Project Management, are continuing their work as part of the Ministry of Water Resources’ campaign to combat water hyacinth and limit its spread in rivers and main streams.

The statement further explained that the staff is completing and installing the first barrier on the Euphrates River near the University of Dhi Qar. Additionally, new barriers are being installed upstream of the al-Haffar regulator in Karma Bani Saeed District, as well as in Suq al-Shuyukh and al-Fahoud Districts. Work has also commenced on constructing barriers on the Gharraf River, north of al-Rifai city, and upstream of the Shatt al-Shatra pumping station.

The ministry confirmed that these initiatives will help restrict the spread of water hyacinth, contain aquatic plants, and prevent their migration to other areas. The barriers aim to clear blockages caused by the plants in streams, enhance water flow, and ensure efficient delivery to tributaries and beneficiary areas. This effort is also expected to protect the environmental and biological diversity of the governorate’s water bodies.