Jahangiri Warns About Floods in the Capital: We Must Protect Tehran with All Our Might

The First Vice President of Iran reported on the Meteorological Organization's warning about the possibility of heavy rainfall in Tehran, stating, "We must protect Tehran with all our might tonight." According to ISNA news agency, Eshaq Jahangiri announced on the evening of Monday, April 5, during a meeting of the Tehran Crisis Management Headquarters that the Meteorological Organization had warned of severe rainfall in Tehran for several days. Jahangiri said, "Assume that a flood is coming, and managers must be prepared." He warned that if a flood occurs in Tehran, "the depth of the disaster is very serious." The First Vice President expressed hope that "with preparedness," the "least damage" would occur in the event of a flood. Meanwhile, Anoushiravan Mohseni Bandpay, the governor of Tehran, stated that in all cities of the province, rescue teams are ready to intervene in the event of a flood. According to Mohseni Bandpay, based on the Meteorological Organization's forecasts, heavy rainfall may occur in Tehran from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday. On Monday, Siavash Shahriyar, the governor of Shemiranat, reported that all restaurants and service centers located in the riverbeds of Darkeh, Darband, Lavasan, and Fasham have been evacuated. The governor of Shemiranat also mentioned the possibility of the Ghochak pass (entrance to Lavasanat and Rudbar Qasran) being blocked until Wednesday. Elham Fakhari, a member of the Tehran City Council, also reported that in addition to the rainfall in parts of northern and western Tehran, there is a possibility of a storm with winds of 90 kilometers per hour coming from Karaj. However, the governor of Tehran announced that the Meteorological Organization has not reported a storm in Tehran. In July 2015, about 20 people were killed in floods and storms in the provinces of Tehran and Alborz. In recent days, over 30 people have died due to floods in several provinces of Iran.