Heavy Snowfalls Hit Iran
EghtesadOnline: Some of the heaviest snowfalls in years have caused severe transport disruptions in Iran over the past week, forcing the cancelation of flights and closure of roads.
Airliners across the country have been grounded and cities, especially in northern regions, have endured freezing weather conditions.
Authorities closed schools in many cities and children were told to stay at home in other cities, with snowstorms hitting northern, eastern and central regions.
Thousands of motorists and passengers were stuck in the snow and police helped them find shelter in mosques and elsewhere.
A major road linking Tehran with the northern province of Mazandaran has been closed. Severe blizzards have even shut down popular ski resorts near Tehran.
Mountain peaks bordering north of the capital have been blanketed in snow and many people were stranded on local roads to the north of the metropolitan area and also in the northern parts of the neighboring Alborz Province.
Tehran is located at the foothills of the Alborz mountain range, home to several ski resorts. Snow at times falls on the capital in winter but usually involves light falls over most of the city that becomes heavier in higher, northern suburbs.