Storm and Dust Storm in Sistan and Baluchestan Sends Two Thousand People to Hospitals

Majid Mohibi, the director general of the crisis management office of Sistan and Baluchestan province, announced on Sunday, September 24, that 2,107 people have been hospitalized due to the storm and dust storm, with 136 of them still hospitalized. According to him, this storm, which affected the cities of Zabol, Zahak, Hamun, Hirmand, and Nimruz from September 19 to September 24, has mainly caused respiratory, cardiac, and ocular problems among those visiting hospitals and medical centers. Mr. Mohibi also reported the death of three individuals in traffic accidents caused by reduced visibility due to the storm and dust. Some experts believe that the negligence of various governments of the Islamic Republic over the past decades in creating necessary infrastructure to mitigate the damages and casualties of such weather events, as well as neglecting the drying up of water resources in Sistan and Baluchestan, especially the Hamun wetland or the important Hirmand River, has significantly contributed to the exacerbation of the effects of phenomena like the recent storm. On the other hand, based on a research report from the 'Open Data Iran' database, and by examining meteorological indicators over one-year and ten-year periods, '97 percent' of the total area of Iran is experiencing 'drought' due to reduced rainfall and increased temperatures. Experts refer to the 'disasters' of Iran's environment; however, Ebrahim Raisi blames 'developed countries' for the dust storms reaching Golestan and Mazandaran. A specialist warns that conditions will worsen as dust storms from Turkmenistan are unveiled, and Iran's air quality is deteriorating. The storm and dust in Sistan and Baluchestan sent 800 people to hospitals and medical centers, while the 120-day winds in Sistan and Baluchestan have caused 1,000 people to seek medical attention.