Widespread flooding after very heavy rain hits southern Iran

Floods have spread through Iran's southern provinces of Hormozgan, Khuzestan, and Bushehr, on December 19, 2019. The flooding began around December 16 after a period of very heavy rain, when at least one person went missing and four others were rescued after a car was swept away. Around 1 000 people have been affected in the provinces of Khuzestan and Bushehr, with as much as 300 displaced. The city of Abadan recorded 113 mm (4.4 inches) of rain in 24 few hours to December 16, 2019– this is roughly half the usual amount of its annual rainfall.

The Iranian Red Crescent has provided relief items, including food and blankets among the affected population.

Offices, schools, and universities in several cities including Ahwaz, Abadan, and Karun have been closed. In some areas, flooding was around 0.5 m (1.6 feet).

The city of Abadan recorded 113 mm (4.4 inches) of rain in 24 few hours to December 16, 2019– this is roughly half the usual amount of annual rainfall, which is 230 mm (9 inches).

The average total for the month of December is typically around 20 to 25 mm (0.8 to 1 inch).

Aside from a heavy downpour, storms accompanied by lightning strikes hit Ahwaz, according to Radio Farda.

The lightning strikes resulted in a blackout and failure of a hospital's emergency power system. As a result, four elderly women in the intensive care unit died.

Image credit: Red Crescent

Image credit: Red Crescent

​Image credit: Red Crescent

In Bushehr Province, Red Crescent teams assisted 125 households and have cleared water from more than 20 flooded homes. 

In Khuzestan Province, emergency shelter for 27 households in Karun County was provided, as well as 30 households in Ahvaz.

The team also gave relief services to seven other provinces including Isfahan, Zanjan, Fars, Lorestan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Buyerahmad.

Featured image credit: Red Crescent