Ali Nasiri, the head of the Tehran Disaster Prevention and Management Organization, referring to meteorological forecasts of heavy rainfall and the possibility of flooding, urged citizens to be aware of this serious threat. He emphasized that this weather system could bring dangers such as runoff and rising river water levels.
Preparedness for Potential Floods
Nasiri warned of the possibility of flooding along riverbanks and urban street flooding, stating: "The Meteorological Organization rarely issues a red alert for Tehran, and this alert indicates the likelihood of flooding with widespread damage; therefore, it should be taken seriously." He added that the predicted rainfall is such that we will face an unprecedented weather phenomenon.
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The head of the Tehran Disaster Prevention and Management Organization urged citizens to refrain from hiking and being in elevated areas on Saturday and Sunday. He also recommended avoiding unnecessary travel with personal vehicles to keep urban routes open for emergency and service vehicles.
Disaster Management Equipment and Plans
Nasiri referred to the stormwater drainage network of the capital, stating: "Tehran has about 550 kilometers of tunnels and channels for stormwater drainage. Although the rivers have been dredged and cleaned, there are still bottleneck points that may face water backflow during heavy rainfall." He announced that flood drainage machinery and equipment have been deployed in necessary locations.
He also mentioned the conduct of flood-related drills in the vicinity of Chitgar Lake and Taleqan Dam, attended by over a thousand managers and rescuers. Nasiri emphasized that flood maps and flood risk maps for the city of Tehran have been prepared, and areas where problems may arise have been identified.
Nasiri also pointed out potential damage to urban infrastructure, stating: "In such conditions, there is a possibility of disruption in communication networks, mobile phones, and landlines. Additionally, water and electricity infrastructure may be damaged; therefore, citizens should keep their distance from power poles and electrical equipment and stay indoors during thunderstorms."
He concluded by emphasizing that urban management preparedness does not mean a lack of need for public cooperation and urged citizens to take safety recommendations seriously.
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