Residents in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province face severe drought due to water shortages. Despite Taliban assurances, satellite images revealed ongoing water diversion from the Kamal Khan Dam. The Taliban cites drought and technical issues for not releasing Iran’s water share from the Hirmand River. Iran insists on adherence to the 1973 Hirmand treaty for water rights enforcement.
Residents of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province are enduring severe drought conditions due to prolonged water shortages. The local populace is appealing to President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take action to ensure Iran secures its rightful water share from Afghanistan. This appeal comes after years of unmet commitments from Afghan authorities regarding water distribution.
Recent satellite imagery indicates that the Taliban continues to divert water from the Kamal Khan Dam into the salt flats of Godzareh, despite their previous assurances. This ongoing diversion contradicts claims made by Taliban officials who asserted that water was being withheld due to drought conditions and insufficient rainfall, which diminished hopes for Iran’s water share being restored.
The Taliban has consistently denied the release of Iran’s legally entitled water from the Helmand River, citing technical difficulties and drought as reasons for the reduced water flow. However, the recent influx of heavy rainfall and flooding from Afghanistan into Iranian territories raised expectations that the Taliban might finally comply with international agreements concerning water sharing, but these hopes have not been realized.
Iran insists that Afghanistan must adhere to the 1973 Hirmand River water treaty, which is recognized internationally. This treaty obligates Afghanistan to provide Iran with its agreed share of water from the Hirmand River, emphasizing the need for legal enforcement of water rights amid prolonged drought in the region.
In conclusion, residents of Sistan and Baluchestan are urging Iranian leadership to take strong action against ongoing water diversion by the Taliban. Despite promises of compliance, recent satellite evidence suggests that water continues to be misallocated. Iran calls for adherence to the 1973 treaty, which mandates Afghanistan to deliver its water share, underscoring the critical need for international diplomatic intervention regarding regional water rights.
Original Source: ifpnews.com
