‘Supercell’ thunderclouds darken Erbil skies

A rare weather event took place in the skies over Erbil on Sunday as thunder clouds morphed into a ‘supercell’ – also known as a rotating thunderstorm. 

Dramatic photographs show the dark, swirling cloud hanging ominously over the Erbil skyline. 

The Kurdistan Region has seen more than a week of heavy rain and thunderstorms, which have brought flash flooding to rural and urban areas. Schools were forced to close in several parts of the Region on Sunday. 

Much of Iraq and the Region’s rain falls in the winter months. It is unusual for rain to persist into the springtime. 

Photos by Mohammed Shwani / Rudaw