Basra: The Human Rights Office in Basra has issued a warning regarding a water crisis and pollution, urging the local government to take immediate action to prevent further deterioration. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Basra highlighted the critical situation in the province, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention by the provincial council’s head and the governor.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, recent field monitoring conducted before and after the Al-Bid’ah Canal’s structural failures revealed persistent water shortages in significant areas, including Al-Zubair district, parts of Al-Qibla, and the city’s center, along with its western and southern regions. The report identified severe water pollution issues, high salinity levels, and a scarcity of clean water, particularly in regions relying on the Al-Bid’ah Canal or the Shatt al-Arab waterway.

The office further reported alarmingly low water quality in certain areas, with characteristics resembling sewage in terms of color, odor, and taste. The statement concluded by emphasizing the urgent need for the legislative and executive branches of the local government to implement decisive measures to address the crisis effectively and safeguard public health.