18 people killed in flash floods in Iran, six still missing, 55 rescued

At least 18 people have been killed in flash floods in Iran's drought-hit southern Fars province.  This information has been given in the report broadcast on the government TV channel on Saturday.  The report quoted Estahban's governor, Yousef Karegar, as saying that the water level of the Rudbal River flowing through the city had risen significantly due to heavy rains.  According to Karegar, rescue teams rescued 55 people trapped in the floods, while at least six people are still missing.

 Iran has been facing drought for decades due to climate change.  The Meteorological Department had issued a warning about possible heavy seasonal rains across the country in the past.  According to experts, the risk of flash floods has increased due to the construction of large-scale buildings and roads along rivers in Iran.

 Deaths in flash floods in the past

 In March 2018, 44 people lost their lives due to flash floods in Fars province.  At the same time, 76 people were killed in the heavy floods in 2019 and the damage was estimated at two billion dollars.  Due to heavy rains, two people were also killed in the flash flood in January. Scientists argue that climate change is causing extreme changes in the weather, as well as the problem of drought has deepened.  Compared to other countries, Iran has had a serious drought problem for years, which is expected to worsen further.

 Iran's Meteorological Department had already forecast heavy seasonal rains.  However, the department had held climate change responsible for this.  Whereas experts believe that the situation has worsened due to the construction of roads and construction of buildings in the river belt.  It is believed that if improvements are not made, then this may worsen the situation.

 Protests against drought, arrests made

According to The Times of Israel, in the past few months, local people have also demonstrated against the drying up of rivers in central and south-western Iran and the lack of improvement.  Last November, tens of thousands of farmers and protestors gathered near the Zayndeh River in the country's central region, accusing the authorities of diverting water.

 Police fired tear gas shells and arrested more than 60 people after the protesters allegedly turned violent.  Last week, police arrested seven people who were protesting against the drying up of the Middle East's largest lake.