Protests in Shahr Kord Over Water Shortage; Water Supply to Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Villages Carried Out by Tanker Trucks

Thousands of people in Shahr Kord on Wednesday, December 24, protested against water shortage and the performance of managers at the Ministry of Power.

The Iran News Agency (IRNA) reported by broadcasting images and videos of the large crowd of protesters that the demonstrations were held at “Hazrat Halimah and Hakimah Khatoon Square” in Shahr Kord.

This is the latest in a series of protest gatherings by residents of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province in recent days.

IRNA quoted one of the protesters as saying that residents of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari will not allow the transfer of water from this province for non-drinking purposes.

According to experts, the construction of the “Golab Water Transfer Tunnel” to transfer water to Kashan will result in the complete drying up of the Zayandeh Rud River in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.

The ILNA news agency also reported, citing the head of the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Provincial Assembly of Representatives, that water supply to more than 250 villages in the province is being carried out by mobile tanker trucks.

Hossein Bamiri told ILNA that the government is transferring drinking water from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari residents for agricultural purposes to Isfahan, while still 70 percent of agriculture is conducted in traditional ways.

Currently, more than 96 percent of the total area of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province is experiencing drought, which has led to a severe decline in groundwater in the region.

Source: Voice of America