Tehran, July 06: Strong winds have carried dust from the Arabian desert to Iran, forcing a number of flights to cancel after dangerous levels were reached in the country.
The dust storms add extra concentrations of elements to the air pollution problem of some Iranian cities. The winds are so strong that they have carried the haze to the Iranian capital Tehran.
Silicon dioxide, calcium, potassium, carbon, and other elements are found in the haze, which can have damaging effects on people’s respiratory system.
“Flights from Tehran to many western and southern cities such as Shiraz and Ahvaz were canceled due to the heavy haze,” aviation authority spokesman Reza Jafarzadeh said.
The Public Relations department of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education advised in a statement that in Iran’s western provinces like Kermanshah, Lorestan, and Khuzestan, children, the elderly, and people suffering from heart and lung diseases should stay indoors because the haze is emanating dangerous levels of pollutants.
The dust storm is entering Iran from their western neighbor Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait; there is no way to control the storm’s rite of passage.
Desertification of some lagoons in Iraq and the strong winds from deserts of Saudi Arabia are to blame for the blanket of smog reaching Iranian cities.
Iranian environment officials are monitoring weather conditions and keeping a watchful eye on the situation.
—–Agencies