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We continue tonight’s program with looking at the devastating human and commercial costs of the current floods across Iran and try to find out what has caused this sudden and nationwide disaster and if its effects could have been avoided.
It is a matter of deep sorrow even if one human is killed as a result of a flood. However, the historic city of Shiraz alone seems to have taken most of the toll, as reports say more than 30 people in there have perished from this disaster.
Our guest Dr Namdar Baghaie tonight joins us to explain the factors that have led to this sudden and unprecedented wave of floods across in Iran.
Dr Namdar Baghaie:
You are right to say that we have not seen or heard such huge, sudden and nationwide flooding across our country in our living memory.
One of the reasons for it is the climate changes that we are unable to control and it happens every several years.
If you have followed the news you would notice that similar floods have hit Mozambique last week and major landslides took place in Australia at the same time.
The question is how much a country and its authorities are prepared to face these natural and recurring disasters with the least human and commercial damages.
What has the Islamic republic regime done over the last forty years in that respect?
The historic Quran Gate in Shiraz that has been hit by the flood used to have a special channel next to its building to flush out any flood but the city’s authorities filled it with cement and turned it into a road 20 years ago.
During the 40 years rule of the present regime they have built several dozens of unnecessary dams while during the 57 years rule of the Pahlavi dynasty only 18 dams had been built which provided sufficient waters to domestic, industrial and farming needs of the nation.
Under the nose of the regime, Iran’s forests have been razed to the ground by greedy and corrupt business people with links to higher authorities.
It is the combination of these environmental pillages that has eroded the power of our nation resisting natural disasters as is happening in front of our eyes today.
The Quqnoos project in which I am a member is designed to rebuild Iran with the help of experts in all branches of science, ranging from medicine and engineering, to sports and environment.
