Thick Sandstorm Hits Western, Southern Provinces

A heavy sandstorm carried by strong winds from neighboring countries in the west was set to hit several western and southern provinces on Saturday evening, the Iran Meteorological Organization sounded the alarm and warned of increased chances of flight delays. 
The storms of sand and dust were expected to strike Khuzestan, Ilam, Kurdistan and West Azerbaijan, ISNA reported. 
According to the organization, the dust storm could cut visibility, damage vulnerable infrastructure, disrupt the public transport system and cause flight delays on Saturday evening and Sunday. 
Last year, an unprecedented number of sandstorms choked many provinces across the country and sent thousands to medical centers seeking treatment for respiratory problems. 
In response, the government held a regional meeting and invited ministers of environment from at least 11 nations in the region to tackle the problem.
Iran’s advocacy of collective action against this growing problem in the Middle East and other parts of the world won it the praise of the United Nations, which gave Tehran the role of the host country for an upcoming international conference dedicated to sandstorms. 
Tehran is also planning to establish a regional organization to fight sandstorms which mostly arrive from the droughty Iraq and Syria.