Response of Water Bodies to March 2026 Rainfall in Iraq Using Remote Sensingss Techniques

Abstract

The problem of the study lies in the fluctuation of rainfall amounts in Iraq, its uneven spatial distribution, as well as the variation in rainfall intensity. This results in differing responses of water bodies, without the availability of an accurate spatial assessment that clearly illustrates these variations after the rainfall of March 2026. The research aims to evaluate the spatial and temporal changes in water bodies in Iraq, and to analyze their response to rainfall quantities and intensities using remote sensing techniques and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The study hypothesizes the existence of a relationship between rainfall quantities and intensities and the changes in the areas of water bodies, such that these areas increase in regions with higher precipitation, with variation depending on the geographical location and the nature of the water body. To achieve this, meteorological station data were used to represent spatial distribution using the (IDW) method, in addition to analyzing satellite imagery (Sentinel-2) before and after rainfall, and applying the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) to extract water bodies. The results showed clear spatial variation in the response of water bodies, where marshlands and northern reservoirs recorded significant increases, while some lakes exhibited limited or negative responses. The study confirms the efficiency of remote sensing techniques in monitoring these changes and highlights their importance in supporting water resource management and enhancing water storage in Iraq. Keywords: Rainfall, Water Bodies, Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDW), Satellite Imagery.