Kordvani: Using cement blocks is the only way to permanently save Aq Qala from flooding

The return of flooding to Aq Qala has prompted experts to comment on the cause of the flooding and the way to save Aq Qala. According to environmental activist Parviz Kordvani, the only permanent way to save Aq Qala from flooding is to use prefabricated cement blocks.

Many experts believe that the main cause of flooding in the Turkmen Sahara, and especially in Aq Qala, is mismanagement, including the failure to drain the water from the Vashmgir Dam in a timely manner and the failure to dredge the dam and the Gorgan Rud River. However, environmental activist Professor Parviz Kordvani has put forward another opinion.

In an interview with IRNA, Kordvani disagreed with the claim that the flood was caused by the failure to open the floodgates of the Vashmogir Dam on time. Kordvani said, "We haven't had such rains for years, and this has nothing to do with opening the dam on time or late."

Kordvani, who is also known as the father of Iranian desert studies, explained his statement: "The natural conditions of Golestan are such that the bed of the Gorgan River is slightly lower than the level of the plain, so if there is a little more water, it will overflow into the plain and the plain."

But another issue that contributed to the flooding was the lack of dredging of the Voshmgir Dam. Some experts even believe that the main cause of the flooding is not the Gorganrood River, but the Voshmgir Dam. The capacity of this dam has decreased due to sediments, and local authorities have repeatedly warned in the last two years to dredge the sediments of this dam.

But regarding the dredging of the Vashmgir Dam, Kordvani believes that this dredging should not be carried out: "I emphasize that we should not take action to dredge the Vashmgir Dam right now, but rather build a wall around the Gorgan River."

Kordvani has suggested increasing the width of the Gorganroud River and placing cement blocks around it.

The Gorgan River is over 200 kilometers long, and Kordvani has not given a clear answer as to whether prefabricated blocks should be placed along the entire length of the river.

Kordwani emphasized: "We must quickly convince all cement factories to produce cement blocks and transport them to Aq Qala, and then fill the gaps between the blocks to prevent flooding forever."

According to Kordavani, "the only permanent way to save Aq Qala from flooding is to use prefabricated cement blocks."

The environmental activist continued: "The Vashmegir Dam is now full of mud and silt. If they open it, the damage will increase and the mud and silt from the dam must be washed away, but not now, but in the winter of next year when there is no need to use it."

Kordwani believes that this year's rainfall has caused mud to accumulate in the country's dam reservoirs. He has suggested that all dams in the country should be dredged using special hydraulic cleaning vehicles.

Source: DW