Ahvaz Struck by Floods
Floodwaters have breached Ahvaz’s entrances and dangerously made their way into the city. Iranian news agencies have reported the evacuation of five districts in Ahvaz, the evacuation of 234 villages surrounding the city, and the relocation of 46,000 flood-affected residents.
According to Iranian news agencies, Ahvaz’s entrance from the Andimeshk direction has been submerged due to the rising waters of the Karun River.
Based on the same report, as the volume of water behind the makeshift dam created at the Ahvaz highway entrance increases, water has begun flowing toward the city, and rescue forces are working to reinforce the dam.
According to ISNA news agency, with the collapse of the dam and the diversion of Karun water from the Soleiman canal at the city entrance, this area is now underwater, and rescue forces are currently building a new dam at Ahvaz’s entrance.
It is reported that particularly the Kianshahr and Zoroaster districts are at risk of flooding, and officials, with the help of residents, are attempting to prevent water from advancing toward residential areas through excavation and dam relocation.
Based on the latest statistics announced by the head of crisis management at Khuzestan province’s governorate, 234 villages along the banks of the Dez, Karun, and Karun rivers have been evacuated since the start of the floods, and of these evacuated villages, 95 have been submerged.
According to the same report, so far 46,000 residents from flood-affected areas have been accommodated in temporary camps. To date, 6,700 residential units have been damaged, and 51,000 residential units are at risk.
Another report states that Ahvaz’s police headquarters has also been submerged underwater.
It is reported that water from behind the dam is spreading toward the plains surrounding Ahvaz and behind the water park and the fruit and vegetable market.
Reports indicate that along with the floods, a foul and putrid smell has spread throughout Ahvaz’s atmosphere, indicating sewage overflow. In this regard, complaints have been made about the shortage of advanced machinery and equipped excavation equipment.
Continued Critical Conditions in Khuzestan and Lorestan
The director-general of the Red Crescent Society stated that since the morning of Sunday, the 18th of Farvardin, the cities of Behbahan, Lali, Gotvand, Izeh, Shushtar, Baghmlk, Haftkel, Abadan, Shadegan, Hoveyzeh, Ramhormoz, Andimeshk, Andika, Bavi, Masjed Soleiman, Dezful, Shush, Ahvaz, Dasht Azadegan, and Karun have been affected by floods.
Ali Khadadadi added: In some cities, the floods have subsided, and in some areas, floods and their consequences still exist. Additionally, areas of Shushtar, Ahvaz, Dasht Azadegan, Shush, Bavi, Hamidiyeh, Karun, and Shadegan cities are severely affected by the floods.
The director-general of Khuzestan’s Red Crescent Society said: Approximately 4,000 residents from water-surrounded and flood-affected villages have been transferred to safe locations, over 100,000 people have been accommodated in 47 emergency and temporary camps, and 230 villages have been evacuated.
He noted that since the beginning of the floods and waterlogging on the 4th of Farvardin, over 102,000 people have been accommodated in various emergency camps, and the current population in these camps exceeds 102,000 people.
According to Mehr news agency, floodwaters released from the Karun Dam in Khuzestan and the rising of the Karun River continue to affect many villages. The dams of some villages have collapsed, and in some areas, residents are working to increase the height of dams in resistance to the rising floodwaters.
In Lorestan, following the occurrence of floods in various cities of the province, rescue operations have entered their ninth day. Based on reports, rescue and relief forces from the Red Crescent, army, and Revolutionary Guards have gone to assist flood-affected residents in Poldokhtar and Moalemian.
Source: DW
