Floods displace thousands of families in Iraq

Torrential rains hit north Iraq's Salahuddin Province recently, triggering floods that displaced thousands of families.

The rain, the heaviest in 30 years, began to fall last Saturday in Salahuddin, leading to sharp water rises in the Tigris River which breached river dykes and submerged ten villages.

The floods also damaged farmlands with more than 3,000 families affected by the disaster.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry has sent security forces, helicopters and patrol boats for emergency rescue and evacuation operations.

"It was a little dangerous just now. It feels better to get out. Thanks to the soldiers. They helped a lot," said an affected Iraqi.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Red Crescent is also joining the security forces to build temporary tents for the displaced people, and provide them with food and cotton quilts.

"The Red Crescent has already established two refugee camps. Each camp has 100 temporary tents. In addition, we're providing food. Today, a motorcade carrying supplies for 2,500 families is on its way to Salahuddin," said Mohammed Al Khuzaie, vice-chairman of Iraqi Red Crescent.

Preliminary estimates show the floods have caused losses of about US160 million (RM 500 million).