A remaining pond at the dried-up Sawa Lake on the edge of Iraq’s western desert. AFP
A remaining pond at the dried-up Sawa Lake on the edge of Iraq’s western desert. AFP
A street sign for Sawa Lake. A sharp drop in rainfall –now only at 30 per cent of what used to be normal for the region – has lowered the underground water table, said a senior advisor at Iraq's water resources ministry. AFP
A street sign for Sawa Lake. A sharp drop in rainfall –now only at 30 per cent of what used to be normal for the region – has lowered the underground water table, said a senior advisor at Iraq's water resources ministry. AFP
Hotels and tourist facilities near Sawa Lake have been abandoned. AFP
Hotels and tourist facilities near Sawa Lake have been abandoned. AFP
Dry, arid landscape remains. AFP
Dry, arid landscape remains. AFP
What's left of hotel accommodation. AFP
What's left of hotel accommodation. AFP
Iraq's Sawa Lake was once a popular tourist destination. AFP
Iraq's Sawa Lake was once a popular tourist destination. AFP
What was once a tourist hotspot now stands empty. AFP
What was once a tourist hotspot now stands empty. AFP
Parts of Sawa Lake are completely dry. AFP
Parts of Sawa Lake are completely dry. AFP
Bottles and plastic bags litter what was once a luscious lake. AFP
Bottles and plastic bags litter what was once a luscious lake. AFP
What was once a lake is now dry, arid landscape. AFP
What was once a lake is now dry, arid landscape. AFP
Lake Milh, also known as Razzaza Lake, in Iraq's central province of Karbala is also facing the perils of drought. AFP
Lake Milh, also known as Razzaza Lake, in Iraq's central province of Karbala is also facing the perils of drought. AFP
Dead fish litter Iraq's Lake Milh. AFP
Dead fish litter Iraq's Lake Milh. AFP
Human activity and climate change have combined to turn the site into a barren wasteland with piles of salt. AFP
Human activity and climate change have combined to turn the site into a barren wasteland with piles of salt. AFP
This aerial view shows horses running in Lake Milh. AFP
This aerial view shows horses running in Lake Milh. AFP
Sawa Lake is now dry due to years of drought. AFP
Sawa Lake is now dry due to years of drought. AFP

MENA

Abandoned hotels and dead fish: climate change in Iraq – in pictures

Sawa Lake and Lake Milh drying out after years of neglect

The National

April 28, 2022

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  • Arabic

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While you're here
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

E-cigarette report
Score

Third Test, Day 2

New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)

Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings

Changing visa rules

For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.

Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.

It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.

The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.

The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.

On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
On Women's Day
Updated: April 28, 2022, 2:09 PM`
IraqPhotography