Deadly Flash Floods Hit Fars Province 

Flash floods triggered by heavy rain hit the southern province of Fars early Saturday, killing at least 21 and leaving several people missing, head of the region’s crisis management department, Khalil Abdollahi, said. 
Rescue teams dispatched to the scene saved the lives of 55 from certain death, Abdollahi was quoted as saying by ISNA. 
“Following floods in counties Estahban, Darab and Neiriz, several citizens lost their lives,” the official said, noting that the flooding from the Rodbal Dam was caused by heavy rains near Soltan Shahbaz Village in Estahban. 
Estahban is 174 kilometers east of Shiraz, the provincial capital.
Videos released by locals showed cars submerged by the violent floods and people scrambling to save loved ones before the vehicles were washed away. 
Tourists and locals had camped in arid riverbanks on the weekend when the sudden floods struck the area. At least 15 cars were submerged. 
Rescue teams were mobilized on Saturday morning and an aerial unit was also dispatched to Estahban and surrounding areas to save those injured and to find the bodies of those killed by the incident. 
The Fars Meteorological Bureau had issued warnings over flash floods two days ahead of the catastrophe. 
Masoud Haqiqat, head of the bureau, announced that Fars could still see other floods and advised the public to avoid riverbanks at least until Monday. 
Medical centers located in eastern the province have been placed on alert in case another disaster strikes the region. 

Climate Change

Scientists say that climate change contributes to extreme weather conditions, from long spells of drought to flash floods.
Iran has faced a host of challenges from climate change over the past few years. 
In January, eight were killed in flash floods in the same region. In 2019, heavy rains killed some 76 people. 
Water and land mismanagement, particularly in central and southern Iran, has left the region exposed to harsh conditions, as heavy rains on dry lands can especially create problems for locals and unfortunate sightseers.
Most bodies found in Saturday’s flood have been identified by families. At least 150 members of rescue teams are continuing the search for several people still missing since the floods hit.