Snow and blizzard have affected five provinces, causing damage in 14 towns and villages, news outlets said Friday. “Provinces of East Azerbaijan, Ardebil, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Zanjan, and Lorestan have been hit by severe snowfall and blizzards. Nearly 200 people were provided relief, five given emergency shelter, and 38 trapped vehicles were rescued,” said Nasser Charkhsaz, head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society’s Relief and Rescue team. Khuzestan, Kermanshah, and Gilan provinces were also affected by floods triggered by heavy rainfall, ISNA reported. Two people were reported missing in the oil city of Masjed Soleyman city in southern Khuzestan Province and search operations for them continue. Officials have warned of an El Nino weather system that is expected to pummel the country with torrents of rain and cause flooding and freezing temperatures in autumn and winter.
