Rainfall highlights dynamic nature of Lut Desert
Recent rainfall has transformed the landscape of Iran’s Lut Desert, marking a rare event that occurs only once every few years and highlighting the natural dynamism of this UNESCO-listed site, according to the director of the Lut Desert World Heritage Site.
Hossein Eslami said the recent rains have had a significant impact on the world heritage area, explaining that the downpours have filled vast sand fields with water and created favorable conditions for a remarkable revival of plant and animal species. He added that the replenishment of underground aquifers, along with the formation of small seasonal ponds along the edges of sand dunes, has brought an unprecedented sense of freshness and vitality to the Rig-e Yalan region, chtn.ir reported.
He noted that the emergence of this striking and rarely seen landscape has attracted several hundred tourists, researchers, and nature enthusiasts to the area. During this brief but valuable period, visitors have been able to witness a rare scene reminiscent of the Lut Desert’s ancient quasi-sea, observing the unusual and visually stunning coexistence of water and sand in the heart of what is known as the world’s hottest desert.
Emphasizing the natural and ecological significance of the phenomenon, Eslami stated that the recent rains are a clear symbol of divine mercy and the Lut Desert’s inherent capacity for regeneration. He stressed that this event serves as a powerful reminder of the need for informed conservation, responsible tourism management, and the continued protection of this unique world heritage site — whose survival depends on respect for the delicate balance of nature.
The Lut Desert, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2016, is renowned for its extreme climatic conditions, vast sand seas, dramatic yardangs, and record-breaking land surface temperatures. Scientists regard it as a natural laboratory for studying desert geomorphology and climate processes, while its rare moments of transformation after rainfall offer valuable insights into resilience and life in one of the harshest environments on Earth.