Following the occurrence of dust phenomena in Khuzestan province, a wave of dust and fine dust reached West Azerbaijan province last Sunday, leading to the closure of schools in five southern counties of the province on Tuesday. According to Mehr News Agency on Tuesday, February 20, the phenomenon of fine dust arrived in West Azerbaijan province on Sunday afternoon. Following this weather phenomenon, the wave of fine dust intensified on Tuesday, prompting education officials to announce the closure of schools in the cities of Urmia, Piranshahr, Miyandoab, Boukan, and Mahabad. Mehr News Agency also reports that health officials in West Azerbaijan province have warned individuals over 55 years old, children, and heart patients to avoid "unnecessary travel" in the cities. In this context, an environmental protection official in West Azerbaijan told the news agency that the wave of dust in this province has "foreign origins" and that the fine dust has come from Iraq and Turkey. The dust wave reached this province while Khuzestan province and most of its cities have been closed for more than two weeks. On Sunday, February 19, when this wave reached West Azerbaijan, the dust and fine dust in Khuzestan province had reached a level that led to the closure of government offices in 11 counties of the province. The official news agency of the Islamic Republic, IRNA, quoted the crisis management headquarters of Khuzestan governorate announcing that offices in the counties of Ahvaz, Abadan, Mahshahr, Hendijan, Dasht-e Azadegan, Karun, Bavi, Omidieh, Hamidieh, Khorramshahr, and Ramshir were closed on Sunday. In this regard, the director general of education in Khuzestan province also stated that morning classes at all educational levels in Ahvaz and 11 other counties in this province were closed on Tuesday due to air pollution caused by dust. The newspaper Shahre Vandan also reported on Tuesday about the air pollution in Khuzestan, emphasizing that the air in "Ahvaz and Mahshahr is 66 times more polluted than the permissible limit," stating that "the third wave of dust in the past two weeks has kept the people of Khuzestan indoors."
Dust Storm and Fine Dust Reaches West Azerbaijan, Schools Closed
A severe dust storm has hit West Azerbaijan province, prompting the closure of schools in five cities. This phenomenon follows a prolonged dust crisis in Khuzestan province, affecting public health and safety. The dust is reported to have originated from Iraq and Turkey, highlighting regional environmental issues.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A severe dust storm hit West Azerbaijan province, leading to the closure of schools in five cities. The dust storm is part of a larger environmental crisis affecting multiple provinces in Iran, particularly Khuzestan.
- Schools were closed in Urmia, Piranshahr, Miyandoab, Boukan, and Mahabad due to dust pollution.
- The dust storm is reported to have originated from Iraq and Turkey.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has been facing increasing environmental challenges, including dust storms, largely due to climate change and regional conflicts affecting land use.
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Translation confidence: 85%