Iranian MP Warns Land Subsidence Crisis Will Drive Residents Out Of Esfahan

A parliamentarian has stressed the need to tackle the "very dangerous" issue of land subsidence in Iran's Esfahan, warning it will soon drive residents out of the city.

Mehdi Toghyani said, "Land subsidence in Esfahan has reached a very dangerous stage, in a way that if we cannot revive the aquifers over the next seven or eight years, the civilization will not remain.

"The danger of land subsidence in the city is so serious that if no action is taken for it in the coming years, we will all have to leave Esfahan. The entire Esfahan plain is at risk of subsidence due to the dryness of the rivers in the central plateau of Iran."

Recent years have seen a surge in reports of sudden land subsidence in streets and residential areas across several Iranian cities. Esfahan province stands particularly vulnerable, with even its historic center, schools, and ancient buildings experiencing subsidence.

The phenomenon of land subsidence, affecting numerous plains in Iran, has not only inflicted damage and destruction upon historical structures but has also disrupted the lives of millions. Experts warn that without intervention, it could lead to significant financial losses and human tragedy in the near future.

In June 2023, an official from the Ministry of Energy described the situation in many provinces of the country as "critical," highlighting that land subsidence in some areas exceeds global standards by "up to a hundred times."

In August, Iran International obtained documents indicating that officials of the Islamic Republic were aware of significant land subsidence risks but chose not to disclose this information to the public.