New Wave of ‘Dust Mass’ Arrives; ‘Dust Storm Surge’ Engulfs Western Strip of Iran

Iran’s Meteorological Organization issued a warning notice, pointing to a “6 to 8-degree temperature decrease” in the Caspian Sea coastal provinces and warning of the possibility of “sudden floods and local water accumulation in 11 provinces,” announcing that a “dust storm surge” with reduced visibility and “air quality degradation” is expected in Iran’s western strip.

The Meteorological Organization, which operates under the Islamic Republic government, also announced that based on “analysis of synoptic charts and forecasting,” today with “the formation of a dust mass over Iraq” and its penetration into “provinces located in the western strip,” dust storm surge and reduced visibility along with “air quality degradation” is expected for residents of these areas.

Less than two weeks ago, a “widespread wave” of dust and sand swept through various provinces of the country, during which many citizens faced respiratory and lung problems.

Habib Haybar, deputy treatment director of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Ahvaz, stated on June 27 to journalists that from the beginning of this year until that date, “12,196 patients” with “respiratory symptoms” following the occurrence of the dust phenomenon had sought treatment in “Khuzestan” medical centers and “underwent treatment.”

Ali Salajeqeh, head of Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization and deputy to Ebrahim Raisi, on April 17, in the midst of the first wave of severe dust storms and on the brink of the second widespread wave, in a meeting of the “National Headquarters for Dust and Dust Storm Policy-Making and Coordination,” announcing that “fine particles are one of the 11 main hazards of the country,” claimed: “The enemy is planning to create public dissatisfaction from the occurrence of fine dust particles.”

While some senior officials of the Islamic Republic government attribute “environmental problems” and “the spread of dust storms” in the country to “enemy actions,” many experts in this field had previously warned that “the continuation of the current passive process” and “lack of precise scientific and operational planning” in dealing with it could bring “extensive environmental and human damages” to the country.

Meanwhile, Masoud Mansour, head of Iran’s Organization of Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Management, also announced on June 1 that the “fine dust challenge” which had repeatedly involved “southern, western, eastern and central regions of the country” has also reached “northern cities” and has become among the “main challenges” of the country.

Simultaneously, the General Meteorology Office of Tehran Province also forecast today, June 16, that the “western and southern sections” of the province will experience a “temporary dust storm surge” and the possibility of “air quality degradation” during “afternoon and evening hours on Monday.”

In recent years, Islamic Republic officials have merely promised “following up the situation.” Abdoljalal Airi, spokesperson of the Construction Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated on April 12 that explanations by “officials” for “controlling air pollution” and dealing with “the fine dust phenomenon” were not convincing, and “a session with the participation of ministers of relevant agencies and the head of the Meteorological Organization” as “the authority responsible for implementing the clean air law” was to be held; sessions whose outcome has been merely the increase of dust storms and the spread of fine particles in the country.

Source: Voice of America