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In the Sistan and Baluchestan province in southeastern Iran, ongoing natural disasters have left tens of thousands of residents in critical conditions. According to local officials, the 120-day dust storm, a recurring weather phenomenon in the region, has forced over 50,000 people into hospitals this year. With wind speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour, the storm has severely affected the cities of Zabol, Zahak, Hirmand, Hamoun, and Nimruz, contributing to widespread respiratory issues and other health complications.
In addition to the dust storm, the Baluchestan region has also been rocked by a series of earthquakes, further straining the already dire living conditions. Significant tremors were recorded in the cities of Nikshahr, Fanuj, and Bent, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Notably, a 4.7-magnitude earthquake hit Bent and surrounding areas on July 29, followed by a 4.5-magnitude quake in the same region on August 22, and a 4.3-magnitude quake near Fanuj on September 6. These seismic events have caused widespread destruction, particularly in rural areas like the village of Kuchinak, where 95% of homes were destroyed, forcing residents to live in open spaces.
Despite the magnitude of these disasters, there has been a marked lack of government response. Residents of Kuchinak and other affected areas are facing life-threatening conditions, including exposure to venomous snakes and scorpions, due to inadequate shelter and basic necessities like tents from the Iranian Red Crescent. One resident of Nikshahr noted that in the aftermath of the earthquakes, many homes have become uninhabitable, and locals are now seeking refuge under trees in scorching temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius.
Watch and judge how locals in Sistan and Baluchestan Province expose the #Iranian regime's inaction and #hypocrisy amid devastating floods in that region. pic.twitter.com/gEObkark1J
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 5, 2024
Adding to the frustration, local citizens have expressed outrage over the government’s discriminatory treatment. While Baluchestan has seen little aid, the Iranian regime quickly dispatched teams to assist the neighboring country of Azerbaijan following a 4.4-magnitude earthquake there. This contrast has fueled anger among Baluch citizens, who accuse the regime of systemic neglect and unequal distribution of resources. A local activist condemned the regime’s response, referring to the situation as the “destructive earthquake of the Khamenei government.”
The combination of frequent natural disasters and the regime’s failure to provide adequate relief has left many in Sistan and Baluchestan struggling for survival, further fueling public anger, especially among those who have borne the brunt of the regime’s brutal crackdowns during recent uprisings and unrest.
