Iranians enraged by Rouhani's no-show in flood-stricken areas
President Hassan Rouhani is under fire for failing to visit areas hit hard by deadly floods that have marred Nowruz vacations for many Iranians.
![A man walks near a tunnel filled with water after a flash flooding in Shiraz A man walks near a tunnel filled with water after a flash flooding in Shiraz, Iran, March 26, 2019. Tasnim News Agency/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC14C7A3E250](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2019/03/RTS2EZVT.jpg/RTS2EZVT.jpg?h=500003ab&itok=7uWBIMUl)
A trail of death and destruction left behind by heavy downpours in Iran's north and south has cast a dark shadow over Nowruz this year. The Iranian New Year — which began March 21 — characterized by celebrations, family visits and holiday trips has so far been but a mess for many who had planned it months ahead.
The government says it has been mobilizing all facilities to adequately respond to the disaster, but that does not seem to have appeased many critics. President Hassan Rouhani has come under immense pressure for failing to visit the inundated areas. "After the deadly collapse of the coal mine in Azadshahr [in 2017], Rouhani visited the site as part of his ridiculous election campaign [to garner votes]. But now floods have hit the same province and he is gone," one person tweeted.
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