Iran floods last week claim at least 80 lives and leave 30 people missing

• Tehran province is the hardest-hit with 35 deaths.
• Initial estimates point to more than 60 trillion rials (about $200 million) in damages.
• In 2019, heavy rains in Iran’s south left at least 76 dead; and caused damage estimated at more than $2 billion.

State media reported on Saturday that floods that have devastated Iran for more than a week; had claimed the lives of at least 80 people and left another 30 people missing.

According to Yaghoub Soleimani, secretary-general of the Red Crescent Society, “59 persons died; and 30 are still missing in the incidents triggered by recent floods” as of July 23; the beginning of the Iranian month of Mordad.

On top of that, right before Mordad began, Fars in the generally dry south had flash floods; brought on by severe rains that claimed at least 22 lives.

Many of the victims were relaxing by a river that day.

Around 83 million people live in the country, and Soleimani claimed that 60 cities, 140 towns; and more than 500 villages have all been impacted by the flooding.

With 35 fatalities, Tehran Province is the worst-affected. According to a list provided by the Red Crescent; the province close by Mazandaran has the largest number of missing people—20.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, sent his sympathies to the families in a message that was posted; on his website on Saturday. He also urged the authorities to take the appropriate actions to rectify the harm.

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According to his office, President Ebrahim Raisi visited flood-devastated communities; in the Firouzkouh district to the east of the city.

According to official media, a mountain avalanche late on Thursday; claimed 14 lives and caused significant damage there.

People were seen attempting to get their possessions in the videos and images that Iranian media; and social media outlets released online.

According to Agriculture Minister Javad Sadatinejad, according to official broadcaster IRIB; preliminary estimates indicate that the agriculture industry has suffered losses; of more over 60 trillion rials (about $200 million).

More rain is expected in the southern and northern regions in the coming days; Iran’s meteorology centre said on Saturday.

According to scientists, climate change intensifies extreme weather, including droughts; and the possibility for stronger rainstorms.

Iran has seen many droughts over the past ten years, as have other nations in the area; but it has also experienced frequent floods, which are compounded worse when heavy rain falls on sun-baked land.

At least 76 people are known to have died and more than $2 billion in damage were caused; by severe rains in the south of Iran in 2019.

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