Babylon: The Ministry of Water Resources in Babylon Governorate has intensified efforts to clean and clear numerous irrigation canals and waterways, remove encroachments, and address blockages. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of the irrigation system, ensuring the smooth flow of water and the timely delivery of water allocations to agricultural lands and beneficiaries.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry’s press release highlighted that the mechanical cleaning of the Hilla Canal involved the removal of water hyacinth, in cooperation with the Babylon Irrigation and Drainage Projects Maintenance Department. Furthermore, the Kifl Canal was cleared of silt and aquatic plants, while the Haidari/7 Canal saw the removal of water hyacinth. Other canals, including the Zabar al-Jumhuri and Shakha, were also cleaned to facilitate a better water flow.

The initiative also focused on the Nile Canal, where specialized machinery was employed to remove sediment and debris, addressing blockages that hinder water delivery to beneficiaries and water treatment plants. The efforts aim to guarantee uninterrupted water supply to various agricultural and residential areas.

In a related effort, the Water Resources Division in Al-Mahawil executed field work to regulate water distribution and address unauthorized encroachments on irrigation projects. Their operations included filling in outlets that did not adhere to the prescribed rotation and rationing system and closing illegally connected outlets on the Al-Mahawil canal. Dredging activities were also conducted on the Al-Fandiya canal and Al-Shakhah River, in collaboration with the Babil Irrigation and Drainage Projects Maintenance Department. Additionally, an illegally constructed pipe culvert on the Al-Kifl canal was removed, restoring water flow and ensuring efficient delivery to the canal’s tail ends and benefiting agricultural lands.