Snowstorms leave people stranded across northern Iraq’s rugged mountain routes
Civil defence teams are searching for people trapped by heavy snow in Erbil governorate as severe winter weather disrupts travel in northern Iraq.
At least 19 people have been trapped in two separate locations after heavy snowfall hit the Soran district of Erbil Governorate in northern Iraq, according to civil defence authorities.
The director of Soran Civil Defense, Karwan Mirawdeli, told local media on Sunday that the fate of eight people, who were herding livestock near the Sidekan border, remains unknown.
Civil defence teams are continuing search operations for the other 11 people, whose identities are known, in nearby areas.
Mirawdeli added that multiple incidents have been reported across mountainous routes, with additional groups requesting assistance in remote passes.
Heavy snowfall has also transformed Duhok into a scene of full winter conditions.
Six rescue teams, backed by traffic police and road maintenance crews, were deployed across the Soran and Sidan districts, rescuing dozens of stranded motorists and clearing blocked roads, he said.
According to civil defence, four people were rescued on Saturday in the Zozg Mountain area.