Iran: Flooding prompts evacuations in Lorestan province April 1 /update 3

Event

Heavy rains and consequent flash flooding caused the evacuation of several cities in the Lorestan province, including Khorramabad, Pol-e-Dokhtar, and Mamulan, on Monday, April 1.  Adjacent villages were also hit by the flooding. At least one person was killed. Authorities in Lorestan have declared the highest level of alert as further rainfalls are expected in the province on Tuesday, April 2.

Lingering transportation and business disruptions should be expected in the affected province during the coming hours and days. 

Context

The deluge comes after similar floods hit the Mazandaran and Golestan provinces in recent days when heavy rains inundated the provinces on March 19-20, before reaching the south and the west of the country. At least 46 people have been killed across two dozen Iranian provinces due to the floods.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate flooding and associated transportation and business disruptions (including due to road closures), and remember that walking or driving through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of moving water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater and chemical products; all items having come into contact with floodwater should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.