Geological Organization: Land Subsidence Will Create Security Crises for the Country

The head of Iran’s Geological Survey and Mineral Explorations Organization described the situation of land subsidence in Iran as a “catastrophe” and “silent earthquake,” and warning of the death of plants, animals, and human communities in the country, said that “we are driving the country toward destruction”.

For a long time in Iran, indiscriminate extraction of water from underground aquifers has caused land subsidence and consequently the loss of these cavities and water tables, so that subsequent rainfall can no longer refill these resources.

Alireza Shahidi, head of the Geological Survey Organization, announced on Sunday, May 30, that out of 608 existing plains in Iran, more than 300 plains are prohibited due to this issue, and added that “this shows the depth of the catastrophe”.

Stating that land subsidence will create security crises for the country, he reminded: “Drought causes people to migrate from south to north and large parts of the country to become depopulated, and in statistics, it is shown that 4 millimeters of subsidence in the European Union is referred to as a crisis, while in Isfahan up to 17 centimeters and in Tehran 36 centimeters per year has been observed”.

According to Mr. Shahidi, while except for Gilan Province all 30 provinces of the country are grappling with the issue of subsidence, only “in Isfahan Province are officials thinking about ways to address this crisis”.

He explained that throughout the world, access to water resources is allowed between 3 to 20 percent, and when it reaches 40 to 60 percent, it is referred to as stress, and between 60 to 80 percent is a crisis, while in Iran we sometimes use over 80 percent of water resources “and willingly or unwillingly we are driving the country toward destruction”.

Alireza Shahidi, referring to Iran’s location in an arid climate and the occurrence of drought over a 30-year period, said: “Only 10 years of the drought period have passed and we face a long difficult period ahead”.

Previously, officials have also warned about the impact of land subsidence on Iran’s ancient sites, particularly the dangers observed through this for Persepolis.

Source: Radio Farda