Heavy Rains Cause Significant Traffic Disruption on Key Northern Routes
A morning of widespread rain across northern Iran on Thursday led to severe traffic congestion on major highways, particularly those connecting the capital, Tehran, to northern provinces. The adverse weather conditions have tested the resilience of the country’s vital road network during peak travel hours.
Northern Corridors Bear the Brunt
According to the latest report from the Country Road Management Center, heavy to semi-heavy traffic has been reported on northern routes, especially those leading to the provinces of Mazandaran and Gilan. Key affected arteries include:
- The Chalus road, southbound to northbound, is experiencing heavy traffic from the Zangoleh Bridge to Siah Bishe.
- On the Tehran-North Freeway, southbound traffic is slow, particularly around Tunnel No. 18 and the stretch from the Alborz Tunnel to the end of the freeway.
- The Haraz road is congested in both directions, with significant buildup reported in the Chelav intersection area.
Scattered rain has been reported across all northern routes, including in Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golstan provinces, leading to slippery road surfaces and reduced horizontal visibility.
Traffic Snarls on Major Approaches to the Capital
The increased volume of vehicles during the early morning hours also led to significant traffic on freeways entering Tehran from other directions.
- The Karaj-Qazvin Freeway is seeing slow-moving traffic between Golshahr and Kamalshahr.
- On the Qazvin-Karaj-Tehran Freeway, high vehicle density is reported from Mehravila to Pol-e Kalak.
- The Saveh-Tehran Freeway, particularly near Nasim Shahr, is experiencing semi-heavy traffic.
- The Shahriar-Tehran route is also facing heavy traffic in certain sections.
Clear Routes and Official Advisory
In contrast to the congested corridors, travel was reported as smooth and without significant issues on the Firuzkuh route, the old Tehran-Bumehen road, the Tehran-Pardis Freeway, and the Qazvin-Rasht Freeway in both directions. Traffic flowing from north to south on the Chalus road and the Tehran-North Freeway is also moving freely.
Authorities have advised motorists traveling to northern regions to maintain a safe distance, avoid excessive speed, and check the latest road conditions before commencing their journeys. The advisory underscores the importance of caution and preparedness when navigating the nation’s infrastructure under challenging weather conditions.