El Niño and a Rainy Autumn: Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Tested on Flood Management

Yasuj – Possible heavy autumn rainfall under the influence of El Niño is putting Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad's flood control and runoff management preparedness to the test.

Ambassador Arjan of the Provinces Group: The forecast of more than normal rainfall in the fall, the possibility of heavy rains and the need to prepare to deal with floods has once again put the issue of preparedness of the executive bodies of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad in the spotlight, a mountainous province with more than 1,400 kilometers of permanent rivers where heavy rains can affect communication routes, water supply facilities, agricultural lands and residential areas.

As the rainy season approaches, forecasting the weather and the level of preparedness of the responsible agencies to manage its possible consequences has become more important. The issue of El Nino and the possibility of changing the rainfall pattern in some parts of the country also raises the question of whether the province's infrastructure and equipment are ready to face heavy rains.

El Nino is one of the climatic phenomena that affects the weather patterns of the world, but its occurrence alone does not mean heavy rainfall in all regions of Iran. Therefore, seasonal forecasts should be reviewed alongside updated meteorological information and short-term warnings.

In such a situation, the role of meteorology in forecasting and warning, crisis management in coordination of devices, water and sewage company in protecting water supply facilities, and regional water company in managing water infrastructure and river risks are particularly important.

Above-normal rainfall is expected in autumn

In an interview with Mehr reporter, the Director General of Meteorology, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, explained the state of rainfall and forecasting the weather conditions for the coming months. He said: the investigation of climate patterns and meteorological models shows that there is a possibility of more than normal rainfall in the fall, and parts of the south and southwest of the country can be affected by these conditions.

Ali Karami said about the El Nino phenomenon: This phenomenon affects the weather patterns on a global scale, but it does not alone determine the weather conditions of different regions, and for a more accurate prediction, other climate indicators and weather models should also be examined.

Referring to the difference in the effects of El Nino in different regions of the world, he added: The experience of the past years shows that the warm phase of this phenomenon can be accompanied by more than normal rainfall in some parts of Iran, but its effect is not the same in different provinces.

Director General of Meteorology, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, pointed out the importance of short-term forecasts, and called the attention of people and executive bodies to meteorological announcements and warnings necessary.

There are more than 1,400 kilometers of rivers in the province

The Director General of the Crisis Management Office of Kohgiluyeh and Boyar Ahmad Governorate said in an interview with Mehr reporter about the preparation to deal with seasonal rains: the geographical conditions, mountainous climate and topographic features of the province increase the probability of sudden floods and inundation, and it is necessary to deploy emergency and technical equipment in high-risk areas in a timely manner.

Referring to the presence of more than 1,400 kilometers of permanent rivers in the province, Manouchehr Mohammadi added: Rivers and waterways, in addition to their natural capacities, can become a center of danger during heavy rains. Therefore, the identification of high-risk points and the preparation of the responsible agencies are very important.

Referring to the necessity of coordination of executive bodies, readiness of machinery and equipment, and paying attention to the privacy of rivers, Mohammadi called for preventive measures to be taken before accidents occur.

Director General of Crisis Management of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Governorate also emphasized the necessity of preparing rescue and technical forces to be present in accident-prone areas and manage emergency situations quickly.

It is necessary to improve the network and increase the resilience of water facilities

The CEO of Kohgiluyeh and Boyar Ahmad Water and Sewerage Company said about the state of water supply infrastructure in the province: In the first five months of this year, 7,000 meters of water network and 1,721 meters of transmission lines have been repaired and other measures have been taken to develop and improve water and sewage networks.

Pointing to the necessity of increasing the resilience of the water supply network, Reza Rezaei added: To manage possible incidents and improve the stability of the network, three billion Tomans of credit have been attracted, but the repair of worn-out networks and the completion of the required infrastructure still require more financial resources.

Regarding the status of Yasouj water storage tanks, he said: the city's standard need for storage tanks is about 110,000 cubic meters, while the capacity of active tanks reaches 37,000 cubic meters and another 22,000 cubic meters are under construction.

Referring to the infrastructural challenges of the water supply network, the CEO of Kohgiluyeh and Boyar Ahmed Water and Sewerage Company considered increasing the storage capacity and repairing worn-out networks as important needs of the province.

He continued: In an example of the vulnerability of water supply facilities to accidents, the rains of April this year damaged the pumping station number one of Abriz and affected the drinking water of 28 villages. With technical operations and the cooperation of the electricity company, this station was put back into operation and water supply to the villages was resumed.

Rezaei reminded: This experience shows that the protection of electrical and mechanical equipment, predicting alternative solutions and preparation of repair teams can play an important role in reducing the duration of disruption in water supply services.

Completing water projects is a priority

In an interview with Mehr reporter, the CEO of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Regional Water Company said about the company's plans for the development of water infrastructure: Completing water projects and removing technical and operational obstacles of half-finished projects are among the company's work priorities, and legal and executive capacities should be used to advance them.

Referring to the necessity of coordination between the regional water company and executive bodies, Islam Gadami added: Pursuing water supply projects and accelerating the implementation of half-finished projects requires continuous coordination and removing existing obstacles.

Pointing out that there is a possibility of heavy rains in Mehr and Aban in the province, he said: Water infrastructure management is not limited to the completion of water supply projects, and the condition of waterways, the passage of flowing water and points prone to hazards should be investigated and necessary decisions should be made.

The readiness of the devices must be measured in the field

The forecast of more than normal rains, the presence of numerous rivers and the experience of damage to water supply facilities show that preparation against autumn rains should be turned into practical and measurable measures.

Meteorology should provide timely information and warnings to executive bodies; Crisis management should identify high-risk areas and relief needs; The water and sewer company must have a plan to protect the facilities and prevent long-term disruption in water supply, and the regional water company must also review the condition of infrastructure related to rivers and water crossings.

On the other hand, clearing waterways, checking bridge spans, identifying flood-prone spots, preparing machines and determining the responsibility of each device before rainfall can prevent a weather event from turning into a widespread crisis.

El Nino alone does not determine the occurrence of floods in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, but the possibility of heavy rains and the geographical conditions of the province increase the necessity of preventive preparation. What is ultimately important is the level of real readiness of the devices, the speed of response during the incident and the ability to maintain vital services for the people; Indicators that should be measured in practice and before a crisis occurs.