Desiccation of the Transboundary Hamun Lakes between Iran and Afghanistan in Response to Hydro-climatic Droughts and Anthropogenic Activities

This paper investigates the hydro-climatic reasons behind desiccation of Hamun Lakes in Iran-Afghanistan border. We analyzed changes flow Hirmand River (90 percent total inflow to lakes) at international border, and precipitation over this river’s sub-basin during 1960–2016 by calculating standardized indices for (SPI) discharge (SDI). applied Normalized Difference Spectral Indices using satellite images from 1987 2021 observe monthly areal change lakes. The results show that major cause is upstream water regulation which severely reduced delivery Constructed reservoirs near lakes Iran 2008, compounded effect Afghanistan aggravate situation. There a discernible shift relation between border before after 2004. In 1960–2003, high inflows were expected due precipitation, while declined 2004 despite large amounts precipitation. Although long period drought 1998 decreased lakes’ area, lake system primarily falling victim anthropogenic reduction recently. Increased flows use irrigation underscores necessity bilateral dialogues two countries consider environmental shrinkage places socio-economic stress on an already-vulnerable region with public health implications as exposed beds turn into sources dust storms.