As many as 172 people from the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan have visited medical centers complaining of breathing difficulties over the past three days after a heavy sandstorm engulfed the region, head of the province’s Disaster Mitigation and Management Organization, Majid Mohebi, stated on Saturday.
“Due to the 120-day wind in the Sistan region, and the subsequent storms of sand and dust, 172 have gone into hospitals,” Mohebi was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.
The strong summer winds usually last from late May to late September.
“In total, 146 did not require hospitalization and 26 are still hospitalized,” Mohebi said, adding that the hospitalized patients will be discharged after treatment.
Iran has been grappling with storms of sand and dust for the past years and authorities have been scrambling for the past year to mobilize regional action aimed at mitigating the problem as the storms inflict severe damage on the country.