Severe cold forces closure of schools, offices in Urmia province
The Director General of Crises in the province Amir Abbas Jafari announced the measures through official Iranian media, stressing the need for carefulness and energy conservation during the cold spell.
Dec. 16, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – On Monday, Authorities in Urmia province, East Kurdistan, announced the closure of all public and private schools and offices due to a considerable drop in temperature and adverse weather conditions.
The Director General of Crises in the province Amir Abbas Jafari announced the measures through official Iranian media, stressing the need for carefulness and energy conservation during the cold spell.
“Only banks will continue to be open today in Urmia province, with employees working in shifts,” Jafari stated.
He advised residents to reduce their consumption of gas and electricity despite the sub-zero temperatures.
“Though the temperature has plummeted to minus two degrees Celsius, minimizing gas consumption and lessening pressure on the electrical grid is vital to avoid service interruptions and outages,” he added.
The heavy snowfall in the province has caused considerable interruptions to traffic and road accessibility.
Jafari cautioned residents to avoid unnecessary travel between cities and towns to ensure their safety.
“Due to the snow wave affecting the province, many primary and secondary roads are either closed or face severe traffic challenges,” he added.
Urmia, situated in the mountainous region of East Kurdistan, often sees harsh winters. In recent years, similar weather patterns have tested the resilience of the province’s infrastructure and energy supplies, raising concerns about preparedness for extreme weather events.
