Investigating the Effects of Dehydration and Drought on Migration: A Case Study of Zabol City, Southeastern Iran

Despite having hot and dry weather, Sistan (Zabol) is of the areas in which natural flood and drought usually occur and its residents suffer huge losses.The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between drought,dehydration and emigration of the residents of this area during 1997-2012. It alsoaimed to investigate the factors affecting the emigration of the residents using field researches, written reports and interviews with officials of the relevant agencies. Statistical center of Iran reported a decreasing trend of the population of Sistan during 2006-2012 and one of its reasons is migration.The main cause of migration of residents of Sistan is reduction of rainfall and dryness of the available wells in the area. Dryness of Hamoon lake during the recent years has played an important role in the increasing trend of migration.Some suggestions are presented for resolving this crisis including simplifying the process of adaptation to drought through training residents, following the water rights of Sistan and Hamoon lake and encouraging the immigrants to use the appropriate capacities for employment.