Iran’s President Puts All Governors on Full Alert as Floods Continue
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani put all governors, governors general and officials in all Iranian provinces on full alert as widespread flooding continues in many parts of the country.
Rouhani also called on provincial officials to coordinate necessary preparations to handle various issues facing people in the flood-hit areas.
He pointed to the continuation of flash floods in the northern province of Golestan and called for a cabinet session to assess the extent of damage on the province's infrastructure, farmlands and personal property.
On Monday, at least 19 people were killed and 119 injured in flooding that hit the southern city of Shiraz, head of Iran Emergency Medical Service Pirhossein Kolivand said.
Showers and thunderstorm in Shiraz caught many New Year travelers by surprise. Witnesses say many streets are inundated.
Head of the Iran Police Information and Traffic Control Center Nader Rahmani said the flood has carried away more than 200 vehicles, though the exact number is not clear yet.
The flooding in Shiraz inflicted financial damage upon the city’s markets, including the Vakil Bazaar, which has been registered as a national heritage.
Later on Monday, Rouhani issued a message, extending his condolences to the victims of recent floods in a number of Iranian provinces and urging all concerned officials to boost their efforts to solve the problems that face flood-stricken areas of the country.
“I extend my condolences to the dear Iranian nation, especially the honorable people in all flood-hit provinces and particularly the bereaved families (who lost loved ones) in the today’s incident in Shiraz and ask the Almighty God to grant patience to survivors and speedy recovery to the injured,” Rouhani said.
The president also tasked the interior minister and the governor general of Fars province to explore the reasons behind today’s deadly flood in Shiraz and deal with all possible parties who have failed to fulfill their duties in this regard, Press TV reported.
Meanwhile, Hassan Razavi, managing director of the Regional Water Company of Tehran, warned on Monday about the possibility of heavy rainfall and inundation of provincial rivers in the coming days.
“According to an announcement by Iran's Meteorological Organization, heavy precipitation and subsequent flooding are possible along the path of rivers and flood channels across the province,” he said.
The official also warned New Year vacationists against erecting their tents around and on the bed of rivers even dry waterways and flood channels, emphasizing that travelers should avoid stopping near such places to watch or shoot the flooding.
Iran’s Meteorological Organization has warned that the downpours will continue for the next two days in various parts of the country.