Chamchamal Hit Hard by Deadly Floods; Qubad Talabani Assesses Damage, Accountability, and Relief Needs

Peregraf - KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani visited Chamchamal on Tuesday to assess the scale of flood damage and follow up on the needs of affected families after severe rainfall swept across the Kurdistan Region. His office stated that investigations will be launched into possible negligence by relevant authorities, with a focus on determining responsibility and ensuring that citizens are compensated for their losses.

Chamchamal was the hardest-hit area in the latest wave of floods. Two people lost their lives in the district, while 12 others were injured. Dozens of homes and shops were inundated, and several vehicles as well as government offices sustained significant damage.

In a parallel response, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani directed federal institutions to mobilize urgent assistance for the Kurdistan Region. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office, Al-Sudani instructed the National Center for Crisis and Disaster Management and all specialized federal bodies to provide immediate support. The Ministry of Finance was also ordered to allocate an emergency fund to ensure rapid delivery of essential supplies and relief.

The federal response follows a preliminary assessment by the Kurdistan Region’s Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC), which reported widespread destruction from the heavy rainfall of December 8–9. The JCC confirmed two fatalities, one missing person, and another in unstable condition after being rescued with severe breathing difficulties. The floods swept away dozens of cars and caused extensive damage to residential areas, markets, and public infrastructure across several governorates.