500,000 Iraqis face 'catastrophic' Mosul water shortages: UN

BAGHDAD: Up to 500,000 civilians in Mosul face a "catastrophic" drinking water shortage as Iraqi forces advance on the Daesh group in the city, the United Nations warned on Wednesday.

"Nearly half a million civilians, already struggling to feed themselves day to day, are now without access to clean drinking water. The impact on children, women and families will be catastrophic," said Lise Grande, UN humanitarian coordinator in Iraq.