ADVERTISEMENT

North Iran gets massive snow dump

The capital's Imam Khomeini International and Mehrabad airports were shut due to poor visibility "until further notice", state television said.

Some 20 provinces in the west and north of Iran were affected by the snowfall that began on Thursday and peaked on Saturday night, with some mountainous areas receiving as much 1.3 metres (more than four feet) of snow according to official news agency IRNA.

With many schools closed and offices delaying their opening times, Tehrani families made the most of the blizzard.

"This past year we have had very bad news and this is the first good news we have had, and we are happy," Hadi, a transportation worker who had taken the day off to make snowmen with his children, told AFP.

ADVERTISEMENT

Iran's skiiers, who have been denied much action in recent months due to an uncommonly warm winter, were also pleased.

"It's incredible. There's been a metre of powder today, and it's still snowing. My car is buried up to its side mirror," said a Western diplomat, waiting for the lifts to open at Dizin ski resort, an hour north of the capital.

Iran's drivers were having less fun, with thousands blocked on motorways out of the capital.

Mohammad Ali Abtahi, who served as cabinet chief under ex-president Mohammad Khatami, posted a message on social media showing his car stuck on the motorway to the religious centre of Qom, around 150 kilometres south of the capital.

"It's been nine hours that we are stuck out here with hundreds of other cars. We haven't budged one metre," he wrote.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hundreds of Red Crescent teams were mobilised to bring help to the stranded motorists, with many having run out of petrol after hours of keeping their cars heated.

A Red Crescent spokesman told the official IRNA news agency that 6,600 people had been put up in emergency accommodation.

The state gas company said it was bracing for a major surge in demand as temperatures were set to drop to minus-20 Celsius (minus-4 Fahrenheit) in certain northern regions.

In Tehran, local media said several cars and electricity cables had been damaged when trees collapsed on to cars under the weight of the snow.

Mayor Mohammad Ali Najafi asked young Tehranis to help municipality workers to shake trees and dislodge the snow in order to avoid further accidents.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Yahaya Bello stripped of police protection as IG withdraws officers attached to him

Yahaya Bello stripped of police protection as IG withdraws officers attached to him

No need to run when EFCC invites you, Cubana Chief Priest advises Nigerians

No need to run when EFCC invites you, Cubana Chief Priest advises Nigerians

Immigration places wanted Yahaya Bello on watchlist, unveils his passport details

Immigration places wanted Yahaya Bello on watchlist, unveils his passport details

Oyo govt justifies demolition of Yoruba Nation agitators’ building

Oyo govt justifies demolition of Yoruba Nation agitators’ building

NAFDAC raids popular supermarket in Abuja for selling counterfeit products

NAFDAC raids popular supermarket in Abuja for selling counterfeit products

Iranian morality police crack down on women who don't wear headscarves

Iranian morality police crack down on women who don't wear headscarves

FG sets up committee to compensate landowners affected by Lagos-Calabar road project

FG sets up committee to compensate landowners affected by Lagos-Calabar road project

Kano Gov remains a bona fide member of our party - NNPP debunks suspension

Kano Gov remains a bona fide member of our party - NNPP debunks suspension

We need ₦3.2trn to pay electricity subsidy in 2024 - FG

We need ₦3.2trn to pay electricity subsidy in 2024 - FG

Pulse Sports

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT