Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – February 8, 1991

I arrived at Mehrabad airport at seven o'clock and we immediately left for Zahedan with a group of ministers, deputies and bodyguards. We arrived in Zahedan at nine o'clock in the morning. It is raining heavily. Four Iraqi Ilushin planes can be seen in a corner of Zahedan airport.

We immediately flew to Zabul with the C-130 plane. On the way, we got acquainted with the condition of the flooded areas from the explanation of [Mr. Mahmoud Hojjati], the governor [of Sistan and Baluchistan]. The experts explained about the construction plans of Sistan region and the current situation. At Zabul airport, there was an official welcome. We immediately went to the flooded areas with helicopters. We saw several ruined villages from space. People lived in tents in high places. We landed next to the diversion dam of Chah Nimha, next to the Hirmand River on the border of Afghanistan. It is an interesting plan that the Japanese have implemented. This dam transfers about 700 million cubic meters of excess water to deeper places and stores it for consumption throughout the year. We are going to double their capacity.

We saw the well of half from space. I talked to the people of the border villages next to the dam; In terms of water, electricity and roads, they are very deprived and oppressed. We flew with a helicopter next to Hirmand and Parian, which is the border, and got off in Nader area.

There is a lot of flood damage. I talked to people; They are satisfied with government assistance. Tents and blankets, food and fuel have been given to all of them. I ran into some tents. People are patient and satisfied. We went to Jerink area. Here too, it was done like the previous point. People are worried about livestock fodder. Livestock are also damaged.

We went to the city of Zabul. I spoke to the people in the Grand Mosque. It is raining lightly. We prayed at the Gendarmerie place and after lunch, I rested. Then, in the meeting, a decision was made regarding the rapid reconstruction, more water storage in the Nimeh well and lakes, and the improvement of the canals and drainage of the area, and the relocation of residential areas to higher places. I did an interview and we flew to Zahedan and from there to Tehran. We arrived in Tehran at half past eight.