More than 20 provinces, including Tehran province, have been affected by flooding caused by heavy rainfall, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. Many airports and major highways were closed and thousands of people evacuated. State media reported that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told ministers and governors to prepare measures to minimize damage caused by flooding, as the Iranian Meteorological Agency warned that rain would continue in several provinces. Iran has been battling deadly floods and mudslides for two weeks, including in the south of the country. The Red Crescent said the damage in southern Fars province was caused by flooding from a dam on the Rodbal River near the city of Estahban. Scientists say the climate crisis makes floods like those seen in Iran this week more likely because while more intense evaporation leads to more droughts, warmer air can hold more water vapor to trigger extreme rainfall events. A study on the effects of climate change in Iran found that periods of extreme wetness and drought are becoming more frequent, and that there are more extended periods of extremely high temperatures and a higher frequency of flooding across the country. In 2019, more than 70 people died in Iran due to floods following record rainfall.
