The Iraqi Ministry of Interior issued on Saturday a set of safety instructions for citizens to follow during periods of heavy rainfall and potential flooding, according to a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The ministry urged citizens to remain calm, noting that composed behavior and correct actions can significantly reduce risks. It also advised regularly monitoring updates from the Iraqi Meteorological Authority to stay informed about weather developments throughout the winter season.
The guidelines included preparing a dedicated bag containing important official documents and keeping it easily accessible in case flooding becomes imminent. In situations where water begins to leak into homes, residents were instructed to turn off all electrical devices and disconnect them from power sources.
The Ministry of Interior encouraged families to move to upper floors when possible and to transfer essential supplies to higher levels, ensuring water levels will not reach them. It also stressed the importance of maintaining sufficient drinking water reserves in case water sources become contaminated, and of closely supervising children to prevent drowning risks.
Citizens were advised to evacuate their homes and move to safe locations designated by civil defense or security authorities when necessary. The ministry highlighted the importance of following instructions from emergency teams working in flooded areas, as their efforts aim to ensure public safety.
Additional recommendations included marking exterior walls or fences with paint at heights of 30–60 cm as a reference point; if floodwaters exceed these marks, evacuation is advised. Drivers were cautioned against moving vehicles in the direction of water flow and instructed to drive in the opposite direction to avoid rising water around the wheels.
The ministry also warned against approaching flood sites out of curiosity and urged citizens to report any unexpected flood-related emergencies by calling the free hotline (911), available across all networks.
