Over 1 500 seek medical help as dust storm hits Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran
A powerful dust storm swept through Sistan and Baluchestan on June 1, 2025, causing over 1 500 people to seek medical help and prompting the closure of government offices and major roads.
Satellite image of dust storm over Iran at 12:00 UTC on June 1, 2025. Credit: EUMETSAT-Meteosat, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
A powerful dust storm swept through the Sistan and Baluchestan province, leading at least 1 544 people to seek medical help. Victims reported breathing difficulties, heart problems, eye irritation, and other injuries.
Most cases were reported in the cities of Zabol, Zahak, Hamoon, Hirmand, and Nimroz. An Orange alert was issued for the affected regions and is expected to remain in place until June 3.
According to Hossein Shahdadi, head of Zabol University of Medical Sciences, around 1 380 people were treated without needing to be admitted, while 164 required hospitalization.
طوفان سهمگین سیستان ۱۵۴۴ نفر را راهی بیمارستان کرد
— شرق (@SharghDaily) June 2, 2025
شهدادی رئیس دانشگاه علوم پزشکی زابل: در پی وقوع طوفان گرد و خاک چند روز اخیر در منطقه سیستان یک هزار و ۵۴۴ نفر از بیماران چشمی، قلبی و تنفسی و مصدومان تصادفات ناشی از کاهش به مراکز درمانی منطقه مراجعه داشتهاند. pic.twitter.com/8zM9jf8lbt
The low visibility from the dust storm caused two multi-vehicle crashes, Shahbadi added. At least 36 people suffered minor injuries, while 10 others were hospitalized.
In Zabol, the storm reached wind speeds of 97 km/h (60 mph), with visibility dropping to around 1 200 meters (0.75 miles) due to blowing dust.
در پی طوفان شدید در شمال سیستان و بلوچستان، محور زابل-زاهدان از صبح یکشنبه ۱۱ خرداد، بهدلیل آنچه «کاهش شدید میدان دید و گرد و غبار» عنوان شده، تا اطلاع ثانوی مسدود شد.
— independentpersian (@indypersian) June 1, 2025
بر اساس اعلام سازمان هواشناسی کشور، سرعت طوفان در زابل به ۹۷ کیلومتر بر ساعت رسیده و دید افقی را به حدود ۱۲۰۰… pic.twitter.com/zQsjabUqkB
All government offices across the Sistan region were shut through June 1 by the Sistan and Baluchestan Governorate due to the storm. However, health, medical, and emergency services will remain operational during this period.
Northern Sistan and Baluchestan traffic authorities have shut down major routes, including the Dashtak–Zabol road, as sandstorms made driving conditions hazardous.
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