The Darbandikhan Dam administration in Kurdistan Region decided to reduce water releases from last year to half, to cope with the drought that some areas of the region face due to this year's dry season.

The director of the dam, Rahman Khani, said in a press conference that the water release plan for the dam will enter into force during the next five months.

He stressed that there has been a significant decrease in water levels due to climate and natural change, in addition to the wastewater caused by factories operating on the banks of the Sirwan River.

According to Khani, this year, water releases would be used to secure drinking water and prevent the destruction of orchards and forests.