Residents of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province are urging action from the Iranian government after satellite images confirm the Taliban’s continued diversion of water from the Kamal Khan Dam. Despite recent heavy rains raising hopes, the Taliban maintain they are unable to supply Iran’s water share due to drought and technical difficulties, contradicting the 1973 Hirmand River treaty requirements.
Residents of Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran, have faced prolonged droughts exacerbated by Afghanistan’s failure to honor water-sharing agreements. They are now urging President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take urgent measures to secure Iran’s rightful share of water from the Helmand River.
Recent satellite imagery has confirmed ongoing diversions of water from the Kamal Khan Dam into the Godzareh salt flats, despite assurances from Taliban officials that such practices would cease. This diversion continues even after claims that drought and low rainfall were the primary reasons for withholding Iran’s allocated water share.
While recent heavy rainfall and floods from Afghanistan raised hopes for improved water flow into Iran, the Taliban have persisted in their refusal to deliver Iran’s water share. They attribute this lack of compliance to technical challenges and drought conditions, which have obstructed the release of water agreed upon in the 1973 Hirmand River water treaty.
Iran has consistently maintained that Afghanistan must adhere to the legally binding conditions set forth in the treaty regarding the Hirmand River, which is crucial for addressing the water crisis in Sistan and Baluchestan. The ongoing water diversion remains a contentious issue affecting the region’s residents and provoking calls for immediate diplomatic action.
In conclusion, the residents of Sistan and Baluchestan are experiencing severe water shortages due to ongoing diversions of water by the Taliban from the Kamal Khan Dam. Despite assurances from Taliban authorities, evidence shows that Iran’s rightful water share continues to be misallocated. Iran insists that Afghanistan must comply with the 1973 treaty to address these pressing water concerns.
Original Source: ifpnews.com
