Closure of Some Schools and Safety Warnings Due to Snow and Blizzard in Iran

Snowfall in various provinces of Iran, along with strong winds and blizzards in recent hours, has led to the closure of some schools and prompted safety warnings. According to the official news agency of Iran, schools in several counties in Kurdistan province, including primary and middle schools in Sanandaj, Kamyaran, Qorveh, Divandarreh, Bijar, and Muchesh, were announced closed on Sunday morning, December 15. In Paveh, heavy snowfall and a drop in temperature have resulted in the closure of all schools in the first and second districts of Urmia. The public relations office of the Education Department of West Azerbaijan province has reported the possibility of more closures in the coming hours. The temperature in Khoy has dropped to 18 degrees Celsius below zero in one day, and the temperature in West Azerbaijan province has seen a 12-degree drop over the past 48 hours. Reports also indicate the closure of some schools in Kermanshah province. Concurrently, the occurrence of strong winds in Zanjan has led to safety warnings from the meteorological department. Hossein Soltani from the Zanjan Meteorological Department has urged drivers and travelers to avoid unnecessary travel in the next 24 hours. Mr. Soltani stated that strong winds reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour will continue over the next 48 hours. Meanwhile, the Iranian traffic police have reported the closure of the Pounel-Khalchal road in Ardabil and Gilan provinces and have issued warnings regarding blizzards and icing in the highlands of Kermanshah, Ardabil, and Hamadan (Asadabad pass).