An barrier by the army as well as a leisure and entertainment complex recently built by police in the city of Shiraz have been singled out as factors that intensified the recent deadly flash floods in the ancient city, southern Iran.

In its report on the deadly flood, the fact-finding committee of the city council of Shiraz says, "During past three decades, nearly 130 hectares of lands in the "Quran Gate" basin have have been affected by man-made structures that have prevented the water to be absorbed into the ground and intensified the floods in Shiraz."

Meanwhile, the government official news agency (IRNA) revealed on Monday, April 15, that one of the "major structures" responsible for the recent deadly flash floods is a leisure and entertainment complex, known as Zomorrod (Emerald) or Talaeyyeh (the Golden Place), that belongs to the police and security forces.

The three-story center, inaugurated on December 20, 2018, is a complex of a wedding hall, restaurants and reception halls.

According to IRNA, the police had placed two cargo containers on the side of a floodgate, while an excavator should have always been at hand there to prevent the conduit from shutting down in case of a flood.

Furthermore, the report maintains that a mound, (known as Khakreez) made by the Army, also helped the flash floods to accumulate, and intensify the flow of water.

The Army used the mound as a training facility, the report says.

Heavy rains on Monday, March 25, around the "Qur'an Gate" area triggered a formidable flash flood, leaving 22 dead, demolishing and washing away nearly 200 vehicles.