15 dead in Iran flash flood

About 15 persons have reportedly died in a flash flood that swept through the southern city of Iran, state media reported on Tuesday, updating an earlier toll of six dead.

“After finding the last body of Halil River flood incident in Jiroft, a total of 15 are pronounced dead,” the report said.

The search and rescue operation had been brought to an end, it added.

Almost all of those killed in Monday’s flood were Afghan nationals living in the Islamic republic.

Jiroft is a city located in the normally dry southern province of Kerman.

Scientists say climate change amplifies extreme weather, including droughts as well as the potential for the increased intensity of rainstorms.

Iran has endured repeated droughts in the past decade, but also regular floods, a phenomenon made worse when torrential rain falls on sun-baked earth.

In 2022, heavy rains in Iran’s south left at least 80 people dead and caused damage estimated at about $200 million.

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