Warning to Urban Management: Tehran's Flood Tolerance Threshold Is Only 10 Millimeters

The Head of the Tehran Province Crisis Management Center stressed that the national broadcaster, and radio in particular given its wide audience, is highly valuable in education and guidance so that we can bring the situation under control.

Hamed Yazdimehr, head of Tehran Governorate's crisis management center, in a conversation with Iran Radio's Salam Sobh Bakhir program, while congratulating the National Crisis Management Day, said: According to the forecasts of the Meteorological Organization, the occurrence of the El Nino phenomenon, which is usually witnessed in the country once every 3 to 7 years, has been predicted. Due to the fact that this phenomenon will probably bring heavy rains, it is necessary to put preventive measures on the agenda by the service officials and the people so that, God willing, nothing special happens and no harm is done to our compatriots.

According to Ambassador Arjan's report, he continued: One of the consequences of this phenomenon is waterlogging and floods. Although these forecasts are long-term and based on probabilities, full preparation of all devices and people's awareness of safety points are necessary.

The head of the crisis management center of Tehran governorate noted: In the meantime, the role of the national media, especially the radio, which has a wide audience, is very valuable in training and guidance so that we can control the situation.

He stated: Of course, the Meteorological Organization, as the guardian, announces the exact amount of precipitation and its occurrence points as a possibility, and it is not really possible to determine it accurately, but the principle of the occurrence of this phenomenon has been proven to a large extent.

Yazdimehr said: In line with preventive measures, service agencies have certain tasks; Among the most important of them is the cleaning and dredging of the roads and rivers leading to the urban settlements, which is the responsibility of the regional water companies to ensure the smoothness of the water path with continuous monitoring.

He added: Municipalities also have the responsibility in urban environments to prevent water from remaining in the homes of citizens and transportation roads. In addition, holding staff meetings, conducting maneuvers, exercises, as well as overhauling and updating flood fighting equipment, have been on the agenda for months, along with training, and fortunately, our investigations show that the devices are well prepared.

The head of Tehran Governorate Crisis Management Center said: People should follow some points during rains; One of them is to avoid using private cars as much as possible and use public vehicles in cities and metropolises.

He reminded: the level of flood risk depends on the location of the areas, the type of soil and the slope of the land. In urban settlements, if streams and channels are not dredged, even short rains of 8 to 10 mm can cause water backflow and accidents such as cars or people being washed away.

Yazdi Mehr said: the main factor in the escalation of these incidents is the excessive dryness of the land; Because the land loses its ability to drain and absorb water, and the flow of water along with the mud flows in the form of flowing water, which can move cars or cause serious damage to roads.

He pointed out: However, due to the size of the country, the occurrence of acute incidents is a rare thing, and rainfall in many places, especially upstream of the dams, is a source of blessing and strengthening of the country's water reserves. This issue has very wide dimensions and the truth is that experts should provide more training in this field to the people.