Tehran (Agencies): A severe cold wave gripping Iran has forced authorities to shut down schools and government offices in at least 10 provinces on Sunday to conserve energy, state media reported. The closures come amid heavy snowfall and a sharp rise in energy consumption.
“All government offices and schools are closed on Sunday, and remote learning has been arranged for students,” the state news agency IRNA announced. The affected provinces include Lorestan in the west, Semnan in the east, and Gilan in the north.
Gilan, located around 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Tehran, has been hit particularly hard, with some areas recording snowfall up to 220 centimeters (87 inches), according to meteorologist Mohammad Dadras. The shutdown follows a similar decision on Saturday, which saw closures in more than 20 of the country’s 31 provinces due to extreme weather conditions.
While Tehran also experienced disruptions on Saturday, schools and offices reopened on Sunday despite continued wintry conditions. Some areas of the capital received up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) of snow overnight, leading to widespread traffic congestion. While some residents struggled to clear snow from roads and sidewalks, others took advantage of the wintery scene for snowball fights in city parks.
The snowfall and freezing temperatures have severely impacted transportation, with authorities reporting road closures and travel disruptions in 25 provinces. The worst-affected regions are in the north and west, where officials have advised residents to stay indoors for the next 24 hours.
According to IRNA, temperatures in at least 19 provinces fell to zero degrees Celsius or lower on Sunday. Iran frequently enforces school and office closures during harsh winter conditions, citing extreme weather and fuel shortages as key reasons.