Water-Shortage Crisis Escalating in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin
-- a _kt75 | reprint Follow @_kt75 Key Points ■ Since 1975, Turkey’s extensive dam and hydropower construction has reportedly reduced water flows into Iraq and Syria by approximately 80 per cent and 40 per cent respectively. ■ Approximately 90 per cent of the water flow in the Euphrates and 50 per cent in the Tigris originate in Turkey. ■ Low flow rates in Iraq have allowed salt water to infiltrate nearly 150km inland from the Persian Gulf. ■ Lack of international agreement is hampering progress on a deal between Turkey, Iraq and Syria. ■ Turkey has accused Iraq of poor water management practices, which, it says, are exacerbating Iraq’s water crisis. Tensions between these countries remain high because of the issue of water management. Summary The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, originating in Turkey and cutting through both Syria and Iraq, have experienced drastic reductions in water flows in recent years due, primarily, to Turkish hydro-engineering ...