Iran (IMNA) - Each year on October 13, the world observes the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, a crucial initiative aimed at fostering a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction. This significant day was established in 1989 following a call by the United Nations General Assembly.
The focus of the 2021 edition of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is "International cooperation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses." This theme underscores the importance of collaboration among nations, particularly in supporting developing countries to mitigate the impacts of disasters and minimize loss.
Iran Faces Multiple Natural Hazards and Disasters, Including Earthquakes, Floods, and Drought
The Iranian plateau, situated at the convergence of the Eurasian plateau and Saudi Arabia, has always been susceptible to a wide range of natural hazards and disasters due to its location between two expansive bodies of water. Earthquakes, in particular, pose a significant threat to Iranian households, often striking without warning. Moreover, the presence of vital rivers and reservoirs in the country has further heightened the risk of devastating floods.
According to recent surveys conducted by the United Nations, Iran is confronted with several major natural disasters this year. These include drought, floods, and earthquakes, which have been identified as the primary challenges facing the nation. Additionally, the phenomenon of subsidence has emerged as a consequence of prolonged drought, exacerbating the aforementioned three challenges.
Experts Warn of Devastating Floods Caused by Encroachment on Natural Flood-Prone Areas
In a recent statement, water expert Hossein Rafiei drew attention to the destructive consequences of developing agricultural lands, gardens, and infrastructure in flood plains. According to Rafiei, such encroachments exacerbate natural floods, leading to severe damage to structures and human activities.
Highlighting the importance of wetlands in flood control, Masoud Baqerzadeh Karimi, the director-general of aquatic ecosystems at the Department of Environment (DOE), expressed concern over the current state of wetlands, including the Anzali Wetland. Karimi emphasized that the loss of flood control capacity could pose a significant threat to the wetland and surrounding villages in the future.
Sediment Accumulation Causes Flooding and Overflows in Reservoir, Threatening Wetland and Forests
According to Reza Siah-Mansour, a faculty member at the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, approximately 80 percent of a reservoir that stores floodwaters from 11 rivers flowing into the wetland is overflowing due to sediment accumulation. This overflow has led to concerns about the reservoir's capacity to hold water effectively. Siah-Mansour also emphasized the adverse consequences resulting from changes in forests, stating that altering the natural state of forest lands renders them susceptible to excessive water influx. Given that Iran's forests and rangelands are frequently situated on slopes, the destruction of vegetation increases their vulnerability to flooding, causing soil erosion with irreversible ramifications.
Human Activities Amplify Destructive Effects of Floods, Experts Warn
According to experts, the human footprint is playing a more significant role in intensifying the destructive impacts of floods. Over the years, the disappearance of natural barriers that once helped control flooding has left mankind more vulnerable.
The experts also assert that climate change is linked to other devastating weather events, including frequent and more severe storms, floods, rainfall, and winter storms. While climate change and global warming can be natural processes resulting from fluctuations in sunlight intensity, Earth's path deviations, and volcanic activity, the impact of human activities has become increasingly evident since the Industrial Revolution and the rise in fossil fuel consumption.
Iran's Water Crisis Intensifies as Drought and Land Subsidence Worsen
In recent years, water scarcity has become a pervasive issue across Iran, with almost no area remaining untouched by water problems. Among the major environmental challenges faced by the country, drought stands out as a significant concern. The combination of numerous illegal wells, mismanagement, and the global issue of climate change has exacerbated the water crisis in Iran to unprecedented levels.
However, the repercussions of this crisis extend beyond mere water shortage. One of the emerging consequences is land subsidence, a phenomenon characterized by the gradual or sudden sinking of the Earth's surface due to various factors. The primary causes of land subsidence in Iran include the compaction of aquifer systems, drainage, the decomposition of organic soils, underground mining, oil and gas extraction, hydro compaction, natural compaction, sinkholes, and the thawing of permafrost.
As the depletion of groundwater aquifers continues and the effects of subsidence become more apparent, Iran grapples with the urgent need for sustainable water management strategies to mitigate these challenges.
Subsidence Crisis Threatens Iran's Infrastructure and Economy as Tehran Sinks at Alarming Rate"
Geologists warn of a growing subsidence crisis in Iran, with significant economic losses resulting from structural damage soaring maintenance costs. Termed a "silent earthquake" by experts, subsidence gradually depletes the environment, posing a major threat to the country. With 29 provinces affected, Iran, home to the bustling city of Tehran, faces severe consequences as the capital sinks into the ground at an alarming rate. The dire situation demands urgent attention and intervention to safeguard critical infrastructure and mitigate economic losses.
Tehran's Subsidence Crisis: New Research Reveals Sinking at an Alarming Rate
According to recent research, Tehran, the sprawling capital city of Iran and home to approximately 15 million people, is facing a grave subsidence issue. Certain areas in the region are sinking by more than 25 centimeters each year. Alireza Shahidi, the head of Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration, highlighted in May that Iran is withdrawing 80 percent of its groundwater annually, surpassing the global average.
Shahidi further emphasized that worldwide, water resource withdrawal ranges from 3 to 20 percent. However, when the withdrawal rate exceeds 40 to 60 percent, it becomes a cause for concern, and once it surpasses 60-80 percent, it escalates into a full-blown crisis. Disturbingly, some aquifer levels in Tehran have dropped by as much as 100 centimeters over the past few decades.
Urgent Action Needed to Address Subsidence and Protect Water Resources
In the face of subsidence, a dire situation arises where returning becomes nearly impossible. The key lies in swift management of excessive withdrawals, halting unauthorized well construction, and implementing comprehensive plans for watershed and aquifer management. These measures are crucial to prevent further escalation and ensure the continuity of vital water resources.
While natural disasters remain beyond our control, our misguided and unethical actions can exacerbate their frequency and severity. It is undeniable that macro-policies, which prioritize human objectives while disregarding environmental concerns, will eventually impact us all. Take action now to safeguard our future.
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