Dramatic footage shows muddy water cascading through streets in the city of Shiraz in Iran, where most deaths occurred. Hundreds of buildings have been reported to be damaged, and people were seen clinging to lampposts and the tops of cars. Floods have taken place during a time when many government offices were closed for the Persian New Year holiday.
The government’s investigation of the disaster is being investigated, according to Iran’s judiciary.
Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi was quoted as saying by the Mizan news agency: “Any shortcomings regarding the handling of the floods, failure to provide relief and aid to the survivors will be investigated.”
The governor of Fars province, Enayatollah Rahimi, said the flooding was now under control and that rescue teams had been sent to the worst affected areas.
He said: “I am urging people to stay inside their homes in order to remain unharmed.”
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There is more rain forecast for the north and east of Iran, in the coming days.
Flood warnings have been issued for almost all provinces, including the country’s capital, Tehran.
The Interior Ministry has warned residents to cancel trips and take all warnings seriously.
There have been nationwide text message alerts issued by the Disaster Management Organisation, warning people to be wary of certain routes which may flood.
Flights to and from Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport have been delayed or cancelled due to the continuing bad weather.
In Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, there have been dozens of bridges damaged, whilst across other areas, hundreds of villages are submerged.
Floods to the north began more than a week ago, with areas in Golestan Province southeast of the Caspian Sea being most affected.
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According to the state-run Press TV channel, five people were killed in floods in the north.
Floods to the north affected more than 56,000 people living across 270 villages and small towns in the areas of Golestan and Mazandaran on the Caspian Sea.
This comes at a time when many in the western Kermanshah Province are trying to rebuild their homes after a strong earthquake last year.
Some residents in this area are living in temporary cabins after the November earthquake which killed hundreds.