Tehran, Iran – Flash flooding in southern and parts of western Iran has left at least 23 people dead and more than 200 injured, according to news agencies citing officials, as the government urged people to cancel trips and warned of more rains.
The Ministry of Interior advised Iranians on Monday evening to cancel any trips and take the warnings seriously with the Disaster Management Organisation sending nationwide text messages to warn people about taking routes that are prone to flooding, including those in mountains and river banks.
The disaster comes during Iranian New Year, Nowruz, holidays when many Iranians travel in the country.
“There were only two sets of 15-minute heavy rainfalls that caused the flood to spread through the city,” a resident of Shiraz, the worst-affected city, told Al Jazeera.
“The number of casualties would have been less, had people avoided staying there or leaving as soon as they saw the flood coming.”
| Damaged vehicles are seen after a flash flooding in Shiraz [Reuters] |
The country’s Meteorological Organisation put 12 provinces on high alert until Wednesday, predicting a higher chance of flood due to heavy rains across the country from western parts on Monday and Tuesday to eastern and northeastern regions later on.
Flights to and from Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport have been either cancelled or delayed due to bad weather. At least 22 routes were blocked due mostly to the climatic conditions, local news agencies reported.
Fars news agency reported that President Hassan Rouhani cut short a trip to Qeshm Island due to the flooding disaster.
In a public statement, Rouhani offered condolences to the victims while thanking rescue crews, the armed forces and the police for rescue operations.
Opposition and some media outlets have criticised Rouhani over the handling of the flood disaster.