Tehran, Iran, October 1
By Mehdi Sepahvand –- Trend:
Heavy dust has forced the closure of governmental organizations in the city of Ahwaz, Khuzestan Province in western Iran.
The Governorate-General of Ahwaz ordered all governmental offices to be closed at 13:00 due to the dust, Fars news agency reported October 1.
All universities and schools were also closed in the afternoon shift, sources said.
The dust started to cover the area in the morning by first hitting Abadan and Khorramshahr and now it has swept across the province.
Khuzestan Province is one of the worst hit by dust in Iran over the past few years. Other provinces such as Ilam, Luristan, and Kermanshah follow behind.
A general drought in Iran as well as Iraq where winds come to Iran has caused the dust attacks.
Unbridled use of water resources in agriculture is another cause of the drought that leaves the soil unprotected and prone to wind sweeps.