New Iraq dam aids farming activity in the north

Описание: (1 Jan 2023)
IRAQ DAM

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

LENGTH: 2:30

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Khenes Dam, Iraq - 22 December 2022

1. Various of Khenes dam reservoir in Sheikhan
2. Top shot of the reservoir lake
3. Wide of dam structure
4. Water pipes laid under dam
5. SOUNDBITE (Kurdish) Najmaddin Abdullah, director of agriculture department in Sheikhan:
"It is an important project for agriculture during times of drought. In case of drought or lack of rainfall, this can be used as a water reservoir for the area, which has around 12 villages. They can get benefits from it, irrigating their farms from the water that has collected in the dam."

6. Man operating dam's water using control panel
7. Water released from control room
8. Man walking in field
9. Grass
10. SOUNDBITE (Kurdish) Omar Tahir, farmer:
"After the drought, the water levels dropped in the wells and approximately 60 to 70 donums of the agricultural land dried up.”

11. Various of trees in the area
12. Houses in Khenes village
13. SOUNDBITE (Kurdish) Omar Tahir, farmer:
"Now, about 40 to 50 donums of land is being irrigated, and they are planted with rice, sesame along with summer plants such as tomatoes and other plants."

14. Wide of lake reservoir
15. Water in the lake
16. Khenes village overlooking the lake

Khenes Dam, Iraq - 25 December 2022

16. SOUNDBITE (Kurdish) Farhad Mohammed, director of dams in Dohuk:
"This is one of the most important projects in the area because it is located on the Gomel (Su) river. The dam has a capacity of 6,700,000 cubic meters of water, and we expect the dam to be filled up with (excess water for) spillway every year."

Khenes Dam, Iraq - 21 December 2022

17. Water in dam reservoir
18. Surrounding area
STORYLINE:
A new dam in Iraq whose construction was finally completed months ago is proving vital for farming activity in nearby villages that have struggled with recurrent droughts.

The construction on the Khenes dam started in 2014 but stopped for several years, in part because of disruptions caused by Islamic State militant attacks in the area.

The construction work was concluded in October 2022 and the dam's reservoir has since filled up with water.

Abundant rainfall and water from the Gomel Su River have collected in the dam, helping farmers in the villages around Sheikhan, northern Iraq.

The villagers in the area had been grappling with drought that has dried up large stretches of land.

Now some of these lands are planted with rice, sesame and other produce, says local farmer Omar Tahir.

Sheikhan district, home to vast farms, boasts some of the largest agricultural areas in northern Iraq.

Apart from helping maintain agriculture in the area, the dam's reservoir is also going to be used to provide villagers with drinking water.

Farhad Mohammed, the general director of dams in Dohuk, said the dam is currently filled with 3.7 million cubic meters of water and has a total capacity of 6.7 million cubic meters.

The Khenes dam is 34.5 meters high. Its construction cost about $6 million.

With its scenic lake and surrounding hills, locals hope the dam might draw visitors who stop by Khenes to see the ancient Assyrian artefacts there.

AP video shot by Rashid Yahya

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