New evacuations ordered in Iran over heavy rain and fresh flood fears

World Today

Iranian authorities are evacuating towns as heavy rains batter the western half of the country in a series of deadly floods.

CGTN’s Toby Muse reports.

The latest evacuations come in the oil-rich province of Khuzestan. Governor Gholamreza Shariati said rescue teams are moving residents to temporary shelters and army barracks while flood levels remain high.

Authorities are releasing water from major dams in order to ease the buildup as heavy rains pound parts of the country. Forecasters say more rain is on the way. Around 400,000 people are impacted.

“We must not accept any risks and make sure God willing no incidents happen,” said Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Iran’s interior minister.

Dozens of people have died as a result of the flooding, with a number of cities and villages affected since the rains began last month.

So far the oil facilities have yet to be damaged. Medical personnel are helping those impacted by the floods.

More than 1,000 people have been airlifted to safety. Roads and bridges have been destroyed.

The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards says his forces are doing all they can to minimize the damage from the heavy flooding. The government has reportedly promised to compensate those who suffer losses.