10 Apr 2019 | 12:32 PM UTC
Iran: Flooding threat prompts evacuations in Khuzestan province April 10 /update 6
Flooding threat prompts evacuations from Ahvaz in the Khuzestan province April 10; further rainfall forecast in the affected areas over the coming hours
Event
An evacuation notice was reportedly issued for five districts in the city of Ahvaz (Khuzestan province) on Wednesday, April 10, as authorities prepare for heavy rains in the coming days. According to provincial authorities, more than 60,000 people are at risk across Ahvaz in the event of further flooding.
Lingering transportation and business disruptions should be expected in the affected province during the coming hours and days.
Context
Heavy rains have caused significant flooding across Iran since March 19. Thousands of people living near the Karkheh and Dez rivers in Khuzestan province have fled the areas in recent days.
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.
