Iran floods: At least 21 killed in southern Fars province

24 July 2022

Flash flooding has killed at least 21 people in Iran’s southern Fars province.

The city of Estabhan was hardest hit with heavy rain swelling the Roudbal river, governor Yousef Kargar said.

Floods in Iran have been worsened by droughts, because rain water is unable to permeate through the sun-baked earth.

Mr Kargar said several people visiting the riverside were caught by rising water levels.

At least 55 people were rescued, head of Fars’ crisis management department Khalil Abdollahi told Reuters.

Iran is a largely arid country and has endured several droughts over the past decade, which have made the soil harder and more solid. This phenomenon is mainly due to climate change.

Source BBC