A severe sandstorm that began on July 29 has severely impacted the southeastern provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan and South Khorasan, affecting over one million residents and sending hundreds to hospitals. This environmental crisis underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management and highlights ongoing mismanagement issues.
Majid Mohebbi, head of the Crisis Management Department of Sistan and Baluchestan, reported that 1,362 people sought medical treatment between July 29 and August 2 due to respiratory, cardiac, and eye problems caused by the storm. Of these, 111 individuals were hospitalized, and the remaining 1,251 received outpatient care. The storm’s impact on health has been severe, with respiratory issues being the most common among those affected.
The storm’s intensity is attributed to the desiccation of lakes and wetlands, a situation exacerbated by prolonged drought and controversial water transfer projects. Journalist and political activist Mehdi Nakhl-Ahmadi criticized the Ministry of Energy’s water diversion schemes, stating, “The drying up of water bodies has turned the region into a dust bowl.”
Meteorologist Fatemeh Zarei warned that severe weather conditions are expected to persist until mid-next week, with wind speeds reaching up to 104 km/h. The National Meteorological Organization has issued an orange-level warning for potential flooding and severe instability in parts of Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, Kerman, and Fars provinces.
The Danger of Moving Sand Dunes in #Iranhttps://t.co/r2HK2GiFcs
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) October 23, 2023
Local reports indicate drastic reductions in visibility and worsening air quality, particularly in northern Sistan and Baluchestan. Mohsen Heydari, the provincial meteorological department head, noted that pollutant levels in Zahedan reached 1,450 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly 10 times the safe limit. Visibility in some areas, such as the Zahedan airport station, dropped to just 200 meters.
The “120-day winds,” which typically last from late May to September, have intensified due to the drying of major water bodies like the Helmand River, Hamoun, and Jazmourian wetlands. This desiccation has transformed once fertile areas into barren landscapes. Reza Bezi, a resident of Zahak, told the official IRNA news agency, “Breathing has become difficult, and the wheezing lungs are now a common sound. Dust covers our homes and businesses, disrupting our lives.”
Residents are frustrated by the lack of effective government response. Ali Jahantighi, another resident, stated, “These storms have been a recurring problem for years, yet officials seem desensitized to our suffering. Immediate and sustainable solutions are desperately needed.”
The storm has also significantly disrupted daily life and economic activities. Roads connecting key areas such as Zabol, Zahedan, and Hirmand have experienced drastically reduced visibility, causing transportation issues and further isolating communities already struggling with the harsh conditions.
This environmental disaster starkly highlights the systemic negligence of the Iranian regime, which has continually prioritized spending on projects related to weapons of mass destruction and regional expansionism over addressing critical domestic issues. The misallocation of resources has left vulnerable communities to bear the brunt of preventable crises.
