Photos: Isfahan's Heart Doesn't Beat...

07/30/12

Photos by Mirhossein Hosseini, ISNA

It's summer, and once again Zayandeh Rud has dried up. This river, which passes under the historical sio-seh-pol bridge is one of the icons of the city of Isfahan in central Iran. However, in recent years the river has been drying during the summer months creating a depressing picture.

A dry Zayandeh Rud keeping company of sio-seh-pol bridge

Zayandeh Rud (life giver river) is the largest river on the central plateau of Iran, Isfahan Province. The Zayandeh starts in the Zagros Mountains and flows 400 kilometres (200 mi) eastward before ending in the Gavkhouni swamp, a seasonal salt lake, southeast of Esfahan city.  The Zayandeh Rud is spanned by many historical Safavid era bridges, and flows through many parks. Zayandeh Rud normally has significant flow all year long, unlike many of Iran's rivers which are seasonal. But in recent years, due to severe draught and diversion of water resources feeding the river, Zayandeh Rud has been completely drying up during the summer seasons.

Zayandeh Rud, Isfahan (View Larger Map)

 

Better days of Zayandeh Rud (summer 2002) - click image to see high resolution

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