Death and Injury Toll Rises in Unexpected Shiraz Flood

The Director General of Forecasting and Early Warning at the Meteorological Organization warned of flooding in the southern provinces of the country. Meanwhile, the death toll from the devastating Shiraz flood has reached 19 people. A large number of others have also been injured in this incident.

According to Iranian news agencies, with the increase in rainfall in the southern provinces of the country, the possibility of overflow and flooding in wider areas has increased. A large number of vehicles belonging to Nowruz travelers in Shiraz were also hit by the surging flood waves.

Following heavy rainfall that began early Monday, the 5th of Farvardin (March 25) in Fars Province, raging floodwaters started around midday in the areas around the Quran Gate, Abukalam Square, Haft Tanan and the routes leading to these areas.

Pirohassan Koulivand, Head of Iran’s Emergency Medical Services, told Tasnim that 19 people have so far lost their lives in Shiraz. The flood has left 94 injured.

“The Water Channel Was Not Completely Cleared“

Ali Ghasi, Head of the Judicial Organization of Fars Province, said on Monday evening that the flooding incident is under special investigation by the judiciary. He noted: “What has been revealed in preliminary investigations is that the river leading to the Quran Gate has not been dredged according to the information received, and the water channel was not completely cleared, which caused the deadly flood resulting from rainfall in the surrounding mountains to occur.”

According to IRNA, the Head of the Judicial Organization of Fars Province also emphasized: “Although the Meteorological Organization issued necessary warnings about heavy rainfall a week before, officials in the municipality did not consider the necessary preventive measures and planning regarding dredging of the river adjacent to the Quran Gate and controlling the flood caused by rainfall.”

According to Ali Ghasi, this matter “will be investigated by the judicial apparatus and after conducting technical measures with responsible officials” will be dealt with decisively.

Collision of 200 Vehicles in Shiraz

Due to heavy rainfall in Shiraz, severe disruption occurred in vehicle traffic at the entrance of the Quran Gate. According to ISNA, more than 200 vehicles belonging to citizens and Nowruz travelers collided with each other. Hossein Darvishi, CEO of the Red Crescent Society of Fars Province, announced the full readiness of various units of this organization throughout Fars Province.

Enayat Allah Rahimi, Governor of Fars Province, also said about this: “This flood started in less than 10 minutes from the heights of Tang Allah Akbar and swept away moving vehicles at the entrance to Shiraz city and at the Quran Gate.”

Heydar Ali Kamiab, Director General of Sports and Youth of Fars Province, announced that due to the severity of the flood and the announcement of an emergency situation, the doors of all sports halls throughout Fars Province and especially in Shiraz have been opened to accommodate Nowruz guests. He said: “All managers of sports and youth departments in the cities have been warned about the current situation and guidelines have been issued, and efforts are underway to accommodate the maximum number of travelers in available spaces.”

Formation of Crisis Committee Session

According to Iranian news agencies, in the late hours of Monday, the Crisis Committee of Fars Province will be held under the chairmanship of the Governor of Fars Province with the presence of the Minister of Information at the governorate. In this session, the situation in Shiraz following the flood will be reviewed.

Ali Ghasi, Head of the Judicial Organization of Fars Province, stating that today’s incident is under special investigation by the judiciary, said: “Immediately following the incident, upon the order of the Province’s Chief Prosecutor, a judicial case regarding investigating the causes and dimensions of the incident was opened at the Shiraz Prosecutor’s Office.”

He also clarified that the Shiraz flood incident of Monday is under special investigation by the judicial apparatus.

“Urban Management Had No Plan to Prevent Crisis“

According to ISNA, the representative of Shiraz’s people in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stating that officials should seek solutions to reduce people’s suffering, said: “Unfortunately, these incidents showed that urban management had no plan to prevent crisis and develop infrastructure.”

According to Bahram Parsai, infrastructure is not prepared to prevent crisis, and waterlogging and flooding in Shiraz continue.

The representative of Shiraz’s people said that for years urban management has had no plan to prevent crisis and develop infrastructure. He noted: “Despite the information released about the possibility of waterlogging in streets and channels, we witnessed the occurrence of this event and the harm to dozens of people in this flood.”

Meanwhile, the Director General of Forensic Medicine of Fars Province reported the transfer of 17 bodies to the Forensic Medicine Organization of Fars, among the victims of which are 6 men, 7 women and 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl.

Based on the latest reports received by the Veterinary Organization of Fars Province, the amount of damage to livestock, poultry and aquatic sectors is estimated at around 68 billion tomans.

Rainfall in Khuzestan Over Next 24 Hours Will Be Triple-Digit

The Director General of Forecasting and Early Warning at the Meteorological Organization said: “Rainfall in Khuzestan over the next 24 hours will reach triple digits and reach around 150 millimeters. And surely the large rivers of this province will also face overflow.”

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences has also issued warnings to protect public health, including that citizens should treat floodwater like sewage and under no circumstances use well water.

In this statement from the medical sciences organization, it states: “We should avoid contact of the body with floodwater and not walk in floods without boots. If floodwater enters the house, after removing the flood, household items should be washed and disinfected.”

Source: DW