How this iconic Iran river is threatened by droughts and diversions


By AGENCY

A boy jumping across one of the arches of the 295m-long Si-o-Se Pol (33 arches) bridge along the Zayandeh Rood (river) in Isfahan, Iran. The famed river bridges of the Iranian city of Isfahan are a beloved tourist draw. Photos: Atta Kenare/AFP

The famed river bridges of the Iranian city of Isfahan are a beloved tourist draw, but much of the time their stone arches span just sand and rocks, not water.

Drought and upstream water diversions have seen the Zayandeh Rood, “fertile river” in Persian, run dry since 2000, with only rare exceptions.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Living

Consuming berries, tea and red wine ‘may reduce the risk of dementia’: research
US mother of autistic child sets up an online site to aid special needs families
President of established US design school curates 7,000sq ft neocolonial home
Champagne houses abuzz over English sparkling wine
Blind 77YO Malaysian tandem paraglides into Malaysia Book of Records
‘I love you but I hate you’: What to do when you can’t stand your long-term partner
How to make your office chair more comfortable (Don't lock the back rest!)
What to do when oil catches fire in your kitchen
Chonky Australian penguin chick is an Internet star, Katy Perry's a fan too
How homeowners are adding pet-friendly designs to their living space

Others Also Read