Devastating Floods Trigger Evacuations in Western Iran

Flooding caused by torrential rains cut roads in the western Iranian province of Lorestan and triggered the evacuation of residents living around a dam on April 13.

The flooding waters broke the gates of the Kamandan dam in the city of Azna, pushing the authorities to move nomads living around the structure and residents of Kamandan village to safe locations.

Local authorities housed some of those evacuated in gymnasiums. People living in other settlements in the area were advised not to leave their homes. 

No casualties were reported in Lorestan, but state media said that three people lost their lives in West Azerbaijan, Ilam and Qazvin provinces due to flash floods. 

According to Lorestan’s governor, roads connecting to 23 villages on the outskirts of the provincial capital, Khoaramabad, were closed and three temporary bridges were completely destroyed due to the overflowing rivers. 

The Jihadgaran bridge, north of Khorramabad, was submerged in flood waters, while the rupture of a pipe laying on the bottom of Khorramroud River led to shortages of drinking water in the area.

The country's weather forecast predicted that precipitations in Lorestan and neighboring provinces will double by the evening of April 13.