Several Iranian newspapers reported on the devastating floods in Sistan and Baluchistan province. Communication disruptions hampered news coverage, leaving many flooded villages in Sarbaz, Saravan, Nikshahr, and other areas unheard. Residents in these areas are desperately waiting for aid.
Payam-e Ma newspaper, citing local activists, highlighted on March 9th that aid distribution hasn’t reached many affected areas. Pishin district in Rask, for instance, remains largely unattended to. Many villages outside Dashtiari and Chabahar have reportedly waited over a week for help, with the scale of the disaster far exceeding the available assistance.
Ten days after the floods, roughly 1,000 villages and 11 cities remain severely impacted. Payam-e Ma emphasized the critical situation, contrasting official claims of aid delivery with the reality faced by flood victims. Several villages are reportedly still inaccessible due to surrounding floodwaters.
Etemad newspaper, quoting former governor Ali Owsat Hashemi, noted on Saturday that social media coverage surpasses state media reports (IRIB) in reflecting the flood’s true scale. The report acknowledged the vast area and population affected, with severed access routes and minimal services further hindering relief efforts.
Sharq newspaper reported on March 5th that the floods inflicted significant damage on banana farms and other agricultural lands just before spring. The head of the provincial Agricultural Jihad Organization confirmed extensive damage, including:
- 18,993 hectares of irrigated farmland
- 1,933 hectares of orchards
- 221 greenhouses
- 300 rural and nomadic livestock farms
- Livestock losses (unspecified number)
- 15 bee colonies
- 271 agricultural wells
- 50 agricultural machines and tools
- 115 aqueducts
- 104 kilometers of farm and nomadic roads
- 63 kilometers of water transfer pipes and canals
- 84 dams and watershed structures
- 59 water storage pools
