Understanding The Floodwater Experience in Khuzestan: A Grounded Theory Approach

This qualitative study was conducted to understand the dimensions and aspects of the flood crisis in late 1397 (2018) and early 1398 (2019) in Khuzestan province. A Grounded Theory approach was applied and data were collected through in-depth interviews and fifteen participants were selected through purposive-theoretical sampling. Based on open coding and concept recognition, fourteen categories emerged. The extracted categories in terms of condition are:  neglect of dredging canals and rivers, the gradual encroachment on riverbeds, the focus of planning on drought, the sudden turn of the weather, and the lack of machinery and equipment, in term of action-interaction are: extensive but chaotic assistance, frequent crisis management meetings, recall of all organizational capacities, formulating of a strategy to prevent harm to humans, prioritizing the protection of cities, in terms of human-consequences include” increasing the interaction of local officials and trustees, raising the level of flood sufferers’ demands, and increasing social trust and solidarity, and finally in terms of environmental consequences is: fragility of all flooded zones. They are formed around a core category called the widespread and effective but chaotic presence of people and organizations in the flood scene.