Two months’ worth of rain in few hours floods Iran, killing 7 people

Heavy rains from December 5 to 7, 2020, have triggered more flooding in Iran, further worsening the situation in eight provinces already affected by inundations in late November. Up to 160 mm (6 inches) of rain fell in just a few hours– equivalent to two months' worth of rain– killing at least seven people.

In Dashestan in Bushehr Province, severe flooding occurred after 160 mm (6 inches) of rain fell in a few hours. The amount of rain is equivalent to twice the average for the month of December. Other counties also badly affected were Deylam and Genaveh.

Over the past few days, at least seven people lost their lives in rain-related incidents. In Bushehr, one person was swept away by flash floods, while another person was killed by a collapsed building. Five people lost their lives in a landslide that buried several vehicles in Hormozgan Province.

This was the second bout of flooding in Iran in just two weeks. In late November, heavy downpours flooded the provinces of Ilam, Bushehr, Khuzestan, Fars, Boyer-Ahmad, Golestan, Qazvin, Kohgiluyeh, and Lorestan.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society has deployed 125 relief teams to vulnerable sites, warning that more heavy rains are expected for the country.

Featured image credit: IFRC Middle East and North Africa