Flash Floods Toll Rises to 40

By Sunday morning, the death toll in the flash floods and torrential rains in the western parts of the country rose to 40, with five people missing. Some 32 towns and villages in provinces of East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, Kordestan, Mazandaran, and Zanjan were severely affected by the floods. East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan had the highest casualties while the cities of Ajabshir and Azarshahr were the worst hit. President Hassan Rouhani in separate telephone calls to governor generals of East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, and Ardebil provinces ordered immediate use of all the existing facilities to provide relief to the victims of flood-stricken areas. Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian also headed a delegation, comprising of deputy ministers of interior, health, road and urban development as well as the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, to the affected areas to investigate the damage and loss of life. Rainfall continues to lash Kordestan, Ilam, Kermanshah, and Zanjan provinces, and weather forecasts say the situation will persist throughout the week. Over 260 residential buildings were drained and 44 cars trapped in the floods were rescued. Search operations continue for the missing. Prior to the flooding on Thursday and Friday, the weather forecast had warned of adverse weather conditions for the weekend, and all emergency services were on standby.