Iran Floods: New Emergency Alerts as Heavy Rains Continue

By Staff, Agencies

Iranian authorities issued new emergency alerts and travel advisories as heavy rain and snowfall continue to cause flooding and disruptions in most parts of the country.

In further details, the head of the Relief and Rescue Organization of the Iranian Red Crescent Society [IRCS] Morteza Salimi said Monday morning that at floods had been reported in at least 23 of the country’s 31 provinces since heavy rains began on March 19.

Initial estimates by government agencies suggested that flood had killed at least 42 people and destroyed over 25,000 homes around the country.

Major floods had been reported in the provinces of Golestan, Mazandaran, Gilan, Kordestan, Fars, Northern Khorasan, Kermanshah, Khouzestan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad and Sistan and Baluchestan.

It was reported on Monday morning that more floods were expected in at least nine provinces.

Strong rain and powerful winds were expected to lash several cities on Monday and Tuesday after a new storm system moved into western Iran on Sunday, according Iran's Meteorological Organization [IMRO].

The official death toll stands at 45 and even in the capital Tehran more than 20 neighborhoods have received text messages warning of strong winds and storms.

IMRO also warned eleven provinces to brace for strong rainstorms and possible overflowing of rivers in.