Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – November 2, 1990

I woke up at five in the morning and did not sleep again. After the morning prayer, a relatively severe earthquake occurred; It had a terrible sound and the doors shook. I received the news of the Farsi section of the BBC radio and the Voice of America radio; They did not have any important content. Mr. [Alireza] Tabesh, [Guilan Governor] came. He gave a report about the village of Masoleh that they are preventing the danger of the mountain from falling on the houses with measures, and for this reason, people have gradually found the courage to go to their houses.

After having breakfast, we moved to the center of Amarlo district. After the mining area, we entered the forests and green pastures with the northern air. On the slope of Alborz towards the Caspian, we reached the Vegar region; It is a large part. It has many villages, almost all of which were destroyed by the earthquake. It is surrounded by Siahroud river, which flows into Seifroud. Most of the villages have been relocated for reconstruction and are built on high ground.

We went to the end of the village of Stlankh Koh. In each village [= Liavel, Sermol, Sosuf, Hashemian, Bare Sar, Pushkala, Nodeh, Siban and Nash], we stopped for a while. People gathered and researched the reconstruction plan and asked about needs, deficiencies and expectations. The residents are satisfied with the constructions and gifts.

Everywhere we were met with a warm welcome from the people and thanks and mention of shortcomings. They sprinkled flowers, apples and sugar on the car. A wooden room with a metal gable roof has been prepared for almost all families, and they are responsible for preparing thatch for the wall. The government has given the materials and a sum of money.

The people of Mazandaran province were the main ones of this region and they were skilled in woodworking. Villages usually lack electricity, piped water, bathrooms and sanitation. I said to Jihad-e-Shodghani to take action for these matters and I promised to provide credit.

At a point where several villages had been gathered and hundreds of skeletons had been set up for temporary accommodation, a large population of villages [Badroud, Heshmat Abad, Dere Dasht, Chegasar, Chere and Sands] had gathered. Imam Juma Rudbar, after the welcome, told the expectations of the people. Then I spoke.

From there, we moved to Rahmat Abad district. The villages are stretched along the banks of the Siahroud river and even though the area is rich, the people are poor and the houses are humble. All the houses were destroyed in the earthquake. In each village, the same welcome, questions, answers and promises were repeated. Tehran province is responsible for the reconstruction of this area. [Mr. Hossein Taheri], Governor of Tehran, explained about the work done.

Finally, at two o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived at Moin's headquarters, tired and exhausted. After the prayer, we had lunch and after doing the radio and television interview, we moved to Rostamabad. The helicopters were ready there. Escorted by the people of Rostam Abad, we flew to Tehran. In the evening, we landed at Manzariye [camp], [located in the north of Tehran]. I came home Efat had gone to Qom for pilgrimage. Yaser, Mehdi and Fereshte were at home.