TEHRAN – The first heavy autumn rainfall in the city of Ahvaz, Wednesday night, sent more than 10,000 people to hospitals for respiratory diseases, the dean of Junidshapur University of Medical Sciences said.

In an interview with IRNA, Esmaeil Idani said on Saturday that “the phenomenon of respiratory diseases” in Khuzestan Province and largely in Ahvaz began three years ago after the first autumn rain and has persisted so far.

Idani added that in 2013, an influx of 23,000 people referred to hospitals complaining of breathing problems.

The symptoms are mostly wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, he added.

He said nobody has died yet, but 120 have been hospitalized and 10 admitted to the intensive care unit, the rest have already been treated and released.

About whether the rain is acidic or not, Idani said that acid is not a “proper term” as acidic rains do not cause respiratory problems only, but, they may create skin and eye problems as well.

Acidic rains also may damage the environment, animals and the coating of the vehicles but none has been observed in the province yet, he said and added that this issue has to be tested and confirmed by the Department of Environment.

Another report by ISNA on Saturday quoted Masoumeh Ebtekar, Head of the Department of Environment, writing on her telegram channel that the last week’s precipitations in Ahvaz have been tested, and the results show they were not acidic.

PT/MG