12 killed in flash floods in Iraq

Baghdad, Dec 20 : A total of 12 people were killed in floods caused by torrential rain in northern Iraq, governor of Erbil province Omed Khoshnaw said on Sunday.

The torrents swept 15 areas in Erbil, a total of 2,509 homes and 867 civilian cars were damaged by the floods, Khoshnaw said in a press conference in Erbil, the capital of Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

"The material damage is estimated at 21 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $15 million), in addition to significant damage to agricultural lands, sewage networks, streets, and sidewalks," Xinhua news agency quoted Khoshnaw as saying.Moreover, Khoshnaw stressed that Erbil provincial government decided to cancel official New Year celebrations to mourn for the victims of the torrential rain.

On Thursday and Friday, heavy rainfalls hit the countrys northern Kurdish region, including Erbil, some 375 km north of Baghdad.The disastrous heavy rain came at a time when Iraq was suffering from a drought.int/shs

12 people were killed by flash floods in Ira

Khoshnaw also stressed the fact that Erbils provincial government had cancelled official New Year celebrations in order to remember the flood victimsHeavy rains fell on Thursday and Friday in the countrys north Kurdish regions, which includes Erbil.

It is located about 375km north of Baghdad.It came as Iraq was in severe drought.#flash #floods #Iraq #Baghdad.