A picture taken on April 17, 2023, shows an abandoned house at Al-Bouzayad village in Iraq's Diwaniya province. - With falling rainfall, worsening droughts over the past four years have prompted Iraqi authorities to drastically limit areas under cultivation. The provinces of Dhi Qar, Maysan and Diwaniya are among the worst affected, according to the IOM, which estimates 76 percent of displaced people relocate to cities. (Photo by Hayder INDHAR / AFP)
A picture taken on April 17, 2023, shows an abandoned house at Al-Bouzayad village in Iraq's Diwaniya province. - With falling rainfall, worsening droughts over the past four years have prompted Iraqi authorities to drastically limit areas under cultivation. The provinces of Dhi Qar, Maysan and Diwaniya are among the worst affected, according to the IOM, which estimates 76 percent of displaced people relocate to cities. (Photo by Hayder INDHAR / AFP)
The provinces of Dhi Qar, Maysan and Diwaniya are among the worst affected by the drought, according to the International Organisation for Migration, which estimates 76 per cent of displaced people relocate to cities
The provinces of Dhi Qar, Maysan and Diwaniya are among the worst affected by the drought, according to the International Organisation for Migration, which estimates 76 per cent of displaced people relocate to cities
Haydar Mohamed once grew wheat and barley, but drought has forced him off the land and into the city where he now earns $15 a day in construction, supplementing this by driving a taxi
Haydar Mohamed once grew wheat and barley, but drought has forced him off the land and into the city where he now earns $15 a day in construction, supplementing this by driving a taxi
'The transition is difficult,' said Mohamed, 42, who abandoned village life several years ago for a shantytown in the city of Karbala, 'but if you don't work you don't eat'
'The transition is difficult,' said Mohamed, 42, who abandoned village life several years ago for a shantytown in the city of Karbala, 'but if you don't work you don't eat'
Until 2017, Mohamed farmed in the remote village of Al-Khenejar in Diwaniya province where, in a good year, they would harvest 40 or 50 tonnes of grain
Until 2017, Mohamed farmed in the remote village of Al-Khenejar in Diwaniya province where, in a good year, they would harvest 40 or 50 tonnes of grain
The United Nations ranks Iraq as one of the world's five countries most affected by climate change
The United Nations ranks Iraq as one of the world's five countries most affected by climate change
The UN says nearly one in five people live in an area hit by water shortages, while state authorities have limited areas designated for cultivation
The UN says nearly one in five people live in an area hit by water shortages, while state authorities have limited areas designated for cultivation
In Diwaniya province, 120 villages rely on water deliveries, up from 75 last summer, said provincial governor Maitham al-Chahd
In Diwaniya province, 120 villages rely on water deliveries, up from 75 last summer, said provincial governor Maitham al-Chahd
The rural flight piles pressure on urban areas where infrastructure is dilapidated after decades of conflict, corruption and mismanagement and reports warn of 'social unrest' driven by climate factors
The rural flight piles pressure on urban areas where infrastructure is dilapidated after decades of conflict, corruption and mismanagement and reports warn of 'social unrest' driven by climate factors
Al-Chahd said rural migrants faced unemployment in the cities, where there 'are not enough job opportunities' for all the newcomers
Al-Chahd said rural migrants faced unemployment in the cities, where there 'are not enough job opportunities' for all the newcomers
Rural areas, meanwhile, are being deserted, including the village of Al-Bouzayad, where the main irrigation canal has dried up
Rural areas, meanwhile, are being deserted, including the village of Al-Bouzayad, where the main irrigation canal has dried up
About 100 families have left in the past two years, and today only 170 households are still listed on the municipal register, said mayor Majed Raham
About 100 families have left in the past two years, and today only 170 households are still listed on the municipal register, said mayor Majed Raham
Those who stayed depend on water deliveries made by tankers sent by the governorate authorities
Those who stayed depend on water deliveries made by tankers sent by the governorate authorities
Raham said most survive on either state benefits or money earned by their children, who commute daily to the nearest town
Raham said most survive on either state benefits or money earned by their children, who commute daily to the nearest town
'The majority want to leave,' he said, 'but they don't have the means'
'The majority want to leave,' he said, 'but they don't have the means'

MENA

Drought forces rural Iraqis to move to crowded cities - in pictures

Increasingly parched land over the past four years has led authorities to limit cultivation areas

The National

May 10, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Iraq to discuss water scarcity problem with Iran and Turkey

Germany to help protect Iraq's water supplies from climate change threat

From drought to deluge: Iraq’s farmers and tourists reap benefits of heavy rains

Changing environment affects Iraq's honey production - in pictures

Turkey increases water flow into drought-hit Iraq, says official

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

More on animal trafficking
More from this package
MIDWAY

Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

More from Neighbourhood Watch
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from this story
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

World Mental Health Day
Race card

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

The five pillars of Islam
More from this package
MORE ON AFGHANISTAN
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
More coverage from the Future Forum
Inside Palestine-Israel
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

While you're here
While you're here
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

World Mental Health Day
On Women's Day
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

World Mental Health Day
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

RESULTS

6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $49,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

Winner RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner El Patriota, Vagner Leal, Antonio Cintra

7.40pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,000m

Winner Ya Hayati, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Althiqa, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Soft Whisper, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

9.25pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Bedouin’s Story, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

Background
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on animal trafficking
More on animal trafficking
Plastic tipping point
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

War on waste
While you're here
You might also like
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Updated: May 10, 2023, 7:30 AM`
Middle EastIraqClimate changeDrought

Stepping into history at Dubai farm where Sheikh Zayed planted seeds of a nation

A look at Jimmy Carter's devotion to the Middle East

How Abu Dhabi is empowering thousands of people with disabilities

The rise and fall of Lebanon's former central banker Riad Salameh

Cartoon for June 7, 2025

Eid Al Adha fireworks light up UAE holiday celebrations

My Dubai Salary: ‘I use my Dh140,000 monthly salary to support children’s charities’

Dubai's Salik announces road toll rates for Eid Al Adha

Donald Trump 'disappointed' in Elon Musk as rift between former allies grows

Donald Trump 'disappointed' in Elon Musk as rift between former allies grows

Israeli air strikes hit Beirut in latest breach of ceasefire

Israeli air strikes hit Beirut in latest breach of ceasefire

UAE President performs Eid Al Adha prayers in Abu Dhabi

UAE President performs Eid Al Adha prayers in Abu Dhabi

Pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat to offer Hajj prayers

Pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat to offer Hajj prayers