The Euphrates River, winding through present-day Turkey, Syria, and Iraq before emptying into the Persian Gulf, is a majestic waterway that has shaped the history of the region. It is the largest river system in Western Asia, with its basin extending into Iran.
These rivers have played a crucial role in the development of settled farming and the rise of ancient civilizations, such as Mesopotamia, in the fertile lands surrounding them.
However, the once fruitful Tigris-Euphrates river system is now facing a dire threat. A recent government report warned that the rivers could run dry by 2040 due to declining water levels and the impact of climate change.
In just a few decades, the flow in the Euphrates-Tigris River system has significantly decreased, reaching almost half of the average annual flow during dry years. Satellite images reveal that the basins of these rivers have lost a staggering amount of freshwater, leaving water levels at their lowest in recorded history.
Much of this alarming situation is a result of the broader climate crisis that the world is facing. The Middle East, already vulnerable to climate change, is expected to experience even more severe water scarcity.
This is devastating news for the millions of people who rely on the Euphrates-Tigris River system for their livelihoods, particularly in Turkey and Iraq. Unfortunately, international cooperation over the management of the river basin has stalled, exacerbating local rivalries and geopolitical tensions.
The potential consequences of this water crisis are dire. The Tigris-Euphrates complex is one of the most high-stakes regions where conflicts over water resources are likely to occur. The combination of a large population and ongoing political instability makes it a volatile situation.
Furthermore, the scarcity of clean water poses significant health risks. Iraq is already facing a multitude of health emergencies due to the lack of access to clean water, including water-borne infectious diseases like cholera, as well as chickenpox, measles, and typhoid.
For centuries, people have expressed concerns about the drying up of the Tigris-Euphrates. Now, those fears may soon become a harsh reality.
All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at the time of publishing. Text, images, and links may be edited, removed, or added to at a later date to keep the information current.
