TEHRAN: As least three people have died and more than 1,300 others have required medical attention as dust storms sweep across Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province, state media reported on Friday.
Such storms have become more frequent in recent years in Iran’s south as wetlands are drying up at an increasingly alarming rate, spurring regional water disputes.
Official news agency IRNA quoted the province’s crisis management chief, Majid Mohebi, as saying three people “died in accidents caused by reduced visibility” this week.
Over the past three days “1,346 people... have sought medical assistance from hospitals and medical centres,” Mohebi added.
They are residents of five adjacent towns in Sistan-Baluchistan near the border with Afghanistan, according to Mohebi.
He said the most common problems were respiratory, heart and eye ailments.A forecast issued by the regional meteorological centre predicted that strong winds and dust storms would continue for several days. Dust and sandstorms have always affected the Middle East but have become more intense and more frequent in recent years.
Police received information that unidentified kidnappers were trying to move abducted trader to another location
A policeman was martyred in exchange of fire with assailants
It is not yet known whether venue will remain same or would be changed to Doha or Dubai
On Pakistan side of LoC, families wearied by decades of sporadic firing began to return home for now
This additional charge has been given for three months or until regular appointment to same position
China and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening friendly ties with Afghanistan
