Global lens: Herders left high and dry

The situation is worse in Iraq's southern marshes, which were already in a fragile state and are now experiencing the most severe heat wave of the last 40 years. Almost 70 percent of the marshes are devoid of water, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Shemal said water flows on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers have dropped by about 70 percent this year compared to previous decades.