Floods and budget shortfalls threaten nomadic routes in Iran's Ilam province

TEHRAN, Iran — Heavy rainfall and flooding have damaged more than 2,000 kilometers of unpaved nomadic migration routes in Iran's Ilam province, along the Iraqi border, leaving thousands of pastoral families facing serious hardship during seasonal migrations. Farshad Yasemi, the province's general director of nomadic affairs, said about 95% of the mountain roads have been made passable again by local crews once weather conditions improved. He added that the rugged terrain and recurring rainfall have prevented a lasting solution, and that reopening closed routes requires heavy machinery that the provincial budget cannot adequately supply. Ilam is regarded as one of the centers of pastoral life in Iran, with nomadic livestock production in the province estimated at several thousand billion tomans annually. Sarah Falahi, the province's representative in the Iranian Shura Council, said repairing and asphalting the main routes has been a longstanding demand of local residents. She added that the government is working to complete maintenance before the next migration season and that talks are ongoing with Tehran for additional funding.