Climate Sense

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dAptAtion

And

itigAtion

trAtegieS

In 2003 and 2004 relatively wet conditions across south-

west Asia helped to ease the effects of the drought somewhat.

However, these beneficial conditions did not continue

and drought came back to the region in 2005. Despite the

drought, Iran also experienced heavy snow in early 2005

combined with a warm boreal spring. These conditions

generated widespread flooding in the local basins.

Dust storms are seasonal phenomena in the east of

Iran, occurring when a particular synoptic condition is

dominant in the region. However, the intensity of said

phenomena has increased gradually and spread out over

a wider area, so that it now affects parts of Afghanistan,

southeastern Iran and western Pakistan during summer

and autumn. Due to these increases in severity and scope

the dust storms constitute a greater and more hazardous

health risk to human beings. Furthermore, during the past

few years these conditions have spread into the southwest

of the country – though it is worth noting that the regional

source of the dust differs for the different areas affected.

Climate change and variability has affected the crop

season in Iran, shortening the growing period and thus

resulting in crop yield decline. Acute water shortage

combined with thermal stress has affected wheat and rice

productivity, with many species in Iran becoming extinct

as a result of the synergistic effects of climate change.

Furthermore, warmer surface temperatures have created

favourable conditions for forest fires.

Increased intensity and spread of forest fires in Asia has

been observed in recent decades, with climate change –

in combination with intense land use – the likely cause.

Biodiversity in Asia is also being lost as a result of devel-

opment activities and continuous land degradation.

In order to enhance adaptation efforts Iran must

monitor climate extremes closely, as well as variability

and the rate of change. It must also assess the poten-

tial impacts of climate change, as well identify people or

areas that are most vulnerable. Based on these actions

we can implement sound adaptation measures. Iran’s key

aims relating to climate change adaptation are to:

• Increase awareness among people and policy makers

• Establish adequate observing systems

• Make full use of software and hardware facilities

• Establish an appropriate climate database

• Create better links with users

• Build capacity in human resources and

infrastructure

• Increase use of advanced methodologies and new

technologies

• Harmonize adaptation programmes regionally

• Use financial resources efficiently.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Meteorological Organization

– along with other governmental organizations and non-

governmental organizations – aims to enable the country

to achieve these objectives, especially in the areas of

capacity building and adaptation measures. Asian coun-

tries, including Iran, which are vulnerable to climate

change and have limited potential to enhance adaptive

capabilities should expand their activities.

than long-term recorded temperatures in December. Snow and cold

weather affected the north of the country, while heavy rainfall flooded

some areas in the south and east of Iran.

Cyclone Gonu caused heavy rainfall on the southeastern coastline

of Iran, resulting in flooding and heavy damage. Local observation

stations in the Sisitan-Balochistan and Hormozgan provinces – where

the annual mean precipitation is less than 200 millimetres – expe-

rienced 62 to 111 millimetres of rainfall on 6 June 2007.

Waves in

Oman and the Persian Gulf reached heights of 6 to 10 metres as a

result of storm surge.

Intensive rain and floods damaged road and

telecommunication links, and disrupted drinking water supplies to

villages in the southeast of the Sistan-Baluchestan province. During

the summer of 2007, despite most parts of Iran receiving no consid-

erable rainfall, the Sistan-Balochestan province, as well as western

Afghanistan and Pakistan, experienced precipitation 200 to 300 per

cent above their long-term recorded averages.

The frequency of drought has also increased in Iran over recent

decades. The region experienced severe drought during the prolonged

1998–2002 cold phase La Niña event, as well as unusually warmwater

temperatures in the western Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans.

The

severe drought affecting the southeast of Iran continued for seven

years causing crop failure, livestock loss and mass migration – which

in turn resulted in serious problems for the local economy, as well as

people’s livelihood.

Source: Dr A.M. Noorian and F. Rahimzadeh: I. R. of Iran Meteorological Organization

(IRIMO) and Atmospheric Science and Meteorological Research Center (ASMERC)

Decadal trend of precipitation during the period 1960-2005