KERMANSHAH, Iran, July 5 (Mehr News Agency) - The dust originating from the Iraqi deserts has so far inundated west, southwest, central, and northwest of Iran. The dust has brought life to standstill in some western cities including Marivan and Ban'e in Kordestan province. The air flights to Mahshar, Ahvaz, Yasouj, , Kermanshah, and Sanandaj have all also been canceled.

Ahvaz

In some cities there is poor visibility and some citizens are wearing masks.

The metropolis of Tehran is also covered with the dust and citizens are surprised over the causes of the haze.

People with respiratory and heart diseases have been advised to remain indoors.

Kermanshah

In western Kermanshah province that borders Iraq the pollution has increased 21 times, and in Shiraz, capital of Fars province, the pollution has increased by ten times.

Iran's environment chief Fateme Vaez-Javadi has visited Baghdad to discuss the issue with the Iraqi officials including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Ahvaz

In a memorandum of understanding signed between Iran's Department of Environment and the Iraqi Environment Ministry, the two sides agreed to form a committee to investigate the issue.

An Iraqi delegation comprising an expert team and interior, environment and agriculture ministers is expected to visit Iran to get familiar with techniques to prevent the spread of deserts.

Kermanshah

The dust arising from deserts in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria first covered south and southwestern provinces of Iran but gradually it has increased to cover large swathes of Iran.

As the wind is carrying dust particles from eastern and western neighbors it is necessary that the UN environment department to be involved to put a brake on the environmental disaster which is threatening the health of Iranian citizens.

Ahvaz

... Payvand News - 07/05/09 ... --

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