Newsflash: Iraqi Ministry: Euphrates Could Drop Drastically by 2035

According to Iraqi calculations, water inflow into the country could fall to about 30 percent of normal levels by 2035. Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources warned that, if the declining water inflow continues, the Euphrates and Tigris could even dry up by 2040. The warning was already issued in 2021 and has since been cited by international organizations and research institutes.

Iraq lies downstream and depends for a significant portion of its water on Turkey, Syria, and Iran. Upstream dams, prolonged drought, higher temperatures, and intensive water use are increasing pressure on the water supply. The American Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) also points to the serious situation surrounding the Euphrates and cites the Iraqi ministry’s warning.

For Bible readers, it is particularly striking that the Euphrates itself occupies an important place in prophecies concerning the end time. Revelation 16:12 describes how “the great river, the Euphrates” dries up, thereby preparing the way for “the kings from the rising of the sun,” in the lead-up to the events surrounding Armageddon. Against that background, the current developments surrounding this ancient river deserve to be closely watched.

Sources:
The National, December 2, 2021 — Iraqi government report on the water crisis.
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) — The Future of the Euphrates River.
United Nations Iraq / UNICEF — reporting on water scarcity in Iraq.

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