Flooding In Iran Affects 21 Provinces

Heavy rainfalls have led to significant flooding across 21 regions in Iran, affecting residential areas and agricultural lands.

According to the Red Crescent's emergency response organization, the floods have sparked a crisis that spans much of the country.

The Meteorological Organization of Iran warned of a new wave of precipitation starting Sunday and spreading to multiple regions.

The latest natural tragedy comes after mid-April's rainfall which caused severe flooding and waterlogging in Sistan-Baluchestan province, destroying dozens of villages and disrupting utilities for at least 300 others. It comes when the country is already facing its hardest economic times amid ongoing social oppression. 

Social media users and local reports have highlighted a lack of emergency aid during the incidents, during which several people reportedly lost their lives. Despite forecasts that the new wave of rain might not lead to flooding, recent days have seen flooded streets and damaged infrastructure in various cities.

One of the hardest-hit areas was Shabestar county in East Azarbaijan, where floods have caused significant destruction.

In Dezful, in Khuzestan province, severe damage to civil and agricultural infrastructure has been reported, with homes and city parks submerged. The local officials have responded by closing riverside parks and ordering the evacuation of vehicles from these areas.

Video footage sent to Iran International shows severe flooding in the streets of Ahvaz, following the rainfall on Friday.

Hossein Zafari, deputy of the Crisis Management Organization, noted that floods in the provinces of Ilam and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari have resulted in livestock losses, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of farmers.

The provinces of Khorasan Razavi and Tehran have also reported damage from the recent heavy rains, leading to floods in several villages and areas with more displacement expected.