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Corruption, 'ghost contractors' sink Baghdad after rains

After the first rainfall of the season, Iraqis have blamed flooding on corruption that is delaying construction projects.
Vehicles are seen along a flooded street after heavy overnight rains in Baghdad, November 11, 2013. Baghdad's streets were knee deep in dirty water after heavy overnight rains. Residents struggle with the poor sewage system and lack of municipal services. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad  (IRAQ - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY) ) - RTX1597K

BAGHDAD — The first rainfall of the season swept Iraqi cities Nov. 21, causing flooding in schools, houses and streets.

Siham Ahmed, a student from al-Diwaniya city south of Baghdad, couldn’t get to class since the roads flooded and the school itself was submerged. “The students’ school uniforms and books were ruined in the mud,” she told Al-Monitor.

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