Floods make the lives of Iranians more difficult amid coronavirus
The people of Iran are living in uncertain times. There is an atmosphere of fear in the country because of the Coronavirus outbreak. Not only are they having to contend with a virus that can be deadly to many, but they are also dealing with the consequences of the regime’s inability to manage the situation adequately.
They have just celebrated Nowruz or Iranian New Year, and it has been a time of sadness because they cannot celebrate it in the way they desire. Poverty is rife across the country and people are watching their loved ones become affected by Coronavirus.
The Iranian regime is failing to report accurate statistics to the relevant bodies and it is grossly underestimating the death toll. https://t.co/9gjOLzafMJ#MEK #Iran @USAdarFarsi #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/BxXACjzfrk
— MEK Iran (Mujahedin-e Khalq) (@MEK_Iran) March 26, 2020
Adding to their many problems across the country are devastating floods. Nineteen provinces across the country have been affected by the flooding that has been made worse by the regime’s four decades of neglect and mismanagement.
Farming land has been particularly hit in a large number of provinces, destroying the livelihoods of countless families in Iran. Residential areas have also been affected, leaving many people homeless. Much of the damage is irreparable and it is certain that the regime is not going to provide aid to those that need it the most.
So far, the death toll has reached 12, but this is expected to rise as time goes on and reports are more forthcoming.
Just south of Kerman in the south-central part of the country, more than 10,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed after becoming engulfed by floodwaters. Farmers in the area have lost around 5 trillion rials in damage (approximately $30 million). These farmers are already struggling to make a living and their situation has become all the more critical. Fields of flowers, tomatoes, watermelons, wheat, and vegetables have been ruined.
Severe flooding swept through Southern #Iran last weekend, killing eleven #people and adding another layer to the humanitarian crisis unfolding across the #country as the death toll from the #coronavirus pandemic continues to mount.https://t.co/1u3YvZq9Of#MEK @USAdarFarsi pic.twitter.com/WhjC2g2pbW
— MEK Iran (Mujahedin-e Khalq) (@MEK_Iran) March 24, 2020
The country’s already damaged and dilapidated infrastructure has also been affected. In the south-eastern part of the country in the city of Iranshahr, almost a dozen bridges have been damaged. Many roads across the country have been blocked, including some major links to cities.
Reports indicate that there has been extensive damage in the province of Sistan & Baluchistan in the southern part of the country. Several towns including Chabahar, Dolgan, Qasre-Qand, Dashtiari, Nikshahr, and Kenarak have been particularly affected. The inhabitants in these towns have been left desolate.
The President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) – the main opposition to the Iranian regime – has expressed her deepest of condolences to the people of Iran at this time of great need. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi said her thoughts are with those that have been affected and called on people in neighboring areas to do all they can to help those that need assistance.
There is no doubt that the people of Iran will rally around to help their fellow Iranians at a time like this. For decades the regime has ignored the needs of the people and it is always the people of Iran themselves that help each other to get through a crisis. The regime’s negligence is astounding and goes a great way of explaining people’s overwhelming desire for regime change.