Archive notice: This report was first published on 8 April 2019 during the severe spring floods in Iran. It describes a past emergency, not current flood conditions or a live travel advisory. The safety guidance below was reviewed on 27 October 2026.
Contents
What happened during Iran’s 2019 floods?
Heavy rain around Nowruz in March and April 2019 triggered widespread flooding. The first major impacts were reported in the northern provinces of Golestan and Mazandaran, followed by serious flooding in Lorestan, Khuzestan and other areas. On 15 April 2019, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimated that two million people needed humanitarian assistance.
Flooding also struck Shiraz on 25 March 2019, including roads near the historic Quran Gate. Contemporary reporting described vehicles swept into floodwater. See the 25 March 2019 report.
The World Health Organization’s 2019 emergency report documents the wider public-health impact. Conditions varied sharply by province and locality, so statements made during that disaster should not be used to assess a journey today.
Flood safety: what travelers should do
Check official local weather alerts and road closures before moving between destinations, particularly in the rainy season. The UK FCDO travel guidance identifies spring flooding as a risk in provinces including Khuzestan, Golestan and Lorestan. As checked on 27 October 2026, the FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. Advice from other governments may differ; always consult the authority relevant to your nationality.
- Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater, even if it looks shallow.
- Stay away from riverbeds, drainage channels and bridges over fast-moving water.
- Follow local emergency instructions and check road conditions before departure.
- If flooding threatens your route, postpone the journey rather than attempting to cross.
These general precautions follow Ready.gov flood safety guidance. They do not replace local emergency instructions.
Planning routes and checking reliable information
For general destination background, explore Kandovan village and our solo travel guidance. These articles are not live flood warnings. A Tehran weather forecast may be useful for general conditions but cannot replace official local flood alerts.
Sources and further reading
