Manipulation of Nature and Non-Standard Structures: The Main Cause of the Karaj Flood

City and provincial officials state that illegal and non-standard constructions in the riverbanks, encroachment on surrounding lands, and manipulation of nature are the main causes of the flood on the Chalus Road, which has left dozens dead, injured, and missing. The official Iranian news agency, IRNA, quotes Mohammad Taghi Irani, the deputy governor of Alborz, stating that despite 'warnings from officials' regarding construction in riverbanks, recent events have had unfortunate consequences. Irani pointed to the construction of makeshift bridges without principles and standards as part of the illegal constructions. He also mentioned that two weeks prior to the recent flood, 'officials intended to demolish illegal constructions but faced protests, and the builders of these structures wrote letters to some officials to prevent their demolition.' The IRNA report does not mention who wrote the letters. Mohammad Taghi Irani stated that the flooding was ultimately caused by the water filling under the non-standard bridges, leading to flooding in the alleys and streets. The flood in Karaj, Kon, and Solqan has left a number of dead, injured, and missing. The river overflow and flooding, accompanied by rainfall in northern areas and a storm in Tehran, have caused significant damage. The Mehr news agency also quoted Mojtaba Abdollahi, the deputy of Tehran's municipality services, stating that the structures, contrary to the 'Hadi Plan' for rural development, were the cause of the river overflow. The Hadi Plan is a framework for the development and construction of rural areas that dates back to the 1980s. Abdollahi warned that incidents like those following the recent flood, which led to river overflow, may happen again. According to reported statistics, between eight to fourteen people lost their lives due to the flooding in the village of Sijan and the river overflow. The deputy governor of Alborz stated that more than 30 people were injured and at least 12 were missing.