Snow and Blizzard in Iran | School and Office Closures for 'Gas Consumption Management'; Warning of Gas Cuts to Power Plants

Following heavy snowfall and blizzards in various provinces of Iran, which had been predicted in advance, gas supplies to some industries have been 'limited' and many schools, offices, and banks have been 'closed' to prevent a severe drop in gas pressure, according to government officials. Reports indicate that based on the approval of the energy management task force in several provinces, including North Khorasan, all kindergartens and preschools are closed today, Tuesday, March 7, and all schools and higher education institutions are operating 'remotely'. Consequently, banks and insurance companies in the province are also closed, with only emergency branches operating, and government offices are functioning 'remotely', with a complete gas cut-off for offices. Every winter, despite accurate satellite forecasts and clear regional maps announced by international meteorological organizations, a significant part of the country is 'surprised' by senior government officials facing crises, ultimately leading to 'closures'. Last year, in January 2022, due to cold weather in many parts of the country, Iranian citizens in over 10 provinces, including Alborz, Golestan, Zanjan, Ardabil, Lorestan, Markazi, and Hormozgan, struggled with a gas shortage crisis, and in some cities, access to gas was completely cut off. Schools in Hamadan and Markazi provinces are 'closed', and in Alborz, Zanjan, Yazd, Razavi Khorasan, Isfahan, Kerman, North Khorasan, 8 cities in Gilan province, 9 cities in Ardabil province, 5 cities in Sistan and Baluchestan, 8 cities in Tehran province, and Kuhpayeh in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, classes have moved to 'remote' learning. On the evening of Sunday, March 6, Hamid Yazdimehr, the director of crisis management in Tehran, stated that due to the 'expansion of cold and temperature drop', gas supplies to 'government offices and industries in Tehran province' will face 'limitations' until further notice to ensure continued gas supply to households. The lack of preparedness among responsible government agencies for crisis situations in Iran has led to recent weather conditions causing road closures in various provinces, including Haraz, Sarbisheh - Nehbandan, Bouin Zahra - Saveh, Shahmirzad - Kiasar, Gorgan - Touskestan, and Zanjan - Tohm. Meanwhile, the National Gas Company, which operates under the Ministry of Oil of the Islamic Republic, has requested citizens to 'save' gas due to the 'cold weather and its persistence'. The announcement emphasizes saving gas in 'Tehran, Gilan, Alborz, South Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, Mazandaran, Golestan, Ardabil, West Azerbaijan, and East Azerbaijan' provinces. The National Gas Company has also warned that if 'consumption is not managed', there is a possibility of 'gas cuts' to power plants and electricity outages in homes. Additionally, the country's meteorological organization has announced that tomorrow, Tuesday (March 8), there will be 'intensified precipitation' in the western provinces, northwest, southern slopes of Alborz, as well as in the western Caspian Sea coasts and some eastern and southeastern regions. While the most serious cold front of the year has entered Iran, officials of the Islamic Republic are announcing the closure of offices, industries, and educational institutions due to gas shortages, the Qatari government has announced plans to invest more in the joint gas field with Iran, aiming to become the top gas producer and exporter in the world.