'Red Warning' for Flooding in Iran Ahead of Persian New Year

Iran's Meteorological Organization has issued a "red warning" for flooding in five western provinces as a new wave of heavy rains approaches just ahead of the Persian New Year.

The National Center for Forecasting and Crisis Management reports that rain will begin on Monday, March 18, initially affecting West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Gilan, Zanjan, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah. 

It will then move on to Ilam, Khuzestan, Lorestan, and Hamadan.

Officials warn of potential flooding in the country's western half, particularly on Tuesday, which coincides with a peak in travel in Iran as it is a day before the Persian New Year. 

A "certain" risk of flooding looms over western and southern regions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The red warning specifically applies to Khuzestan, Ilam, Lorestan, Chaharmahal Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh, and Boyer Ahmad provinces due to the intensity of the expected rainfall.

The Research Institute of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences predicts heavy rain throughout the country until next week. 

Environmental activists have also expressed concerns about the potential disaster that the rains would cause.

However, Iran's water crisis is not over despite recent snowfall and rainfall. The National Forecasting Center reports that overall rainfall for the year is 28 percent below the long-term average.