Drought Forces 100,000 Iraqis from Homes

A four-year drought has forced more than 100,000 Iraqis to flee their homes since 2005. Excessive pumping, combined with the drought, have forced the shutdown of many of the ancient aqueducts, with only about 1/6 of them remaining operational. 36,000 more people are on the verge of leaving and entire communities have abandoned their homes. In the village of Jafaron, 44 of its 52 underground aqueducts have run dry since 2008, leaving 114 hectacres of irrigated land barren.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h_tlOUXLDDpBXsDxe2lgBa-vZCtQD9BA9UA80