A Qualitative Approach to the Causes and Consequences of the May 2024 Flood in Mashhad City

Natural disasters, particularly floods driven by human activities, are among the leading causes of loss of life and property worldwide, posing significant obstacles to achieving sustainable development goals. This study investigates the causes and mechanisms behind the May 2024 flood in Mashhad, the second-largest metropolitan area in Iran. Utilizing a qualitative analytical approach, the required data were gathered through dialogue-based panels involving experts, officials, and concerned stakeholders. Following the transcription of discussions, key insights were extracted and categorized into open, axial, and selective codes. The findings revealed that human-related factors played a more prominent role in both the occurrence and the catastrophic impact of the flood. These included "improper urban design", "improper traffic management", "lack of proper urban development", "lack of attention to scientific issues", "incorrect human perspectives", "legal obstacles", "human aggravating factors", and finally "management factors". Also, the issue of "climate change" was recognized as the only natural factor that played a lesser role in the discourses in causing floods. Therefore, issues such as unsustainable urban development, land degradation, and lack of attention to risk management instead of crisis management can be highlighted as the most important root issues that caused the occurrence and, more importantly, the disaster of the flood in May 2024. Accordingly, establishing unified urban management through consensus and significant unity between all organs such as the municipality, officials and governmental institutions, civil society, and the public is essential to prevent the recurrence of such destructive trends.