Amidst heavy rainfall forecasts, at least three Iraqi provinces, along with a district in the capital city of Baghdad, have taken precautionary measures by announcing the suspension of schools on Thursday. The affected regions include Anbar, Diwaniyah, Babylon, and Baghdad’s Karkh district, with authorities citing concerns over potential severe flooding as the reason for the closures, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency.

The decision to suspend schools is a proactive measure aimed at "protecting the lives of citizens and students," according to the official media agency. Iraq has been grappling with increasingly severe weather conditions, exacerbated by the effects of climate change, leading to extreme droughts and destructive flooding.

Earlier this year, the country experienced devastating floods that resulted in several casualties. The lack of a robust drainage system and improved infrastructure has been identified as a contributing factor, compromising Iraq’s ability to withstand the impact of such extreme weather events.

The ongoing droughts have further aggravated the situation, causing a critical shortage of water for both irrigation and domestic use. This has led to the destruction of crops, displacement of communities, and a subsequent increase in poverty levels.

Iraq has faced additional challenges related to water resources, engaging in disputes with neighboring countries such as Turkey and Iran over the diversion of its water resources by dams along its borders. The contentious issue has strained diplomatic relations and added complexity to Iraq’s efforts to manage its water scarcity challenges.

As the affected provinces take precautionary steps to ensure the safety of citizens, the broader implications of climate change on Iraq's resilience and infrastructure shortcomings come into sharp focus. The international community will be watching closely as Iraq addresses the immediate impact of severe weather while also working towards long-term solutions to mitigate the effects of climate-related challenges.