The death toll from a flash flood that swept through the southern city of Jiroft, Iran, has risen to 15, according to state media on Tuesday, updating the initial count of six fatalities.
The official IRNA news agency confirmed that search and rescue efforts have concluded after the last victim was recovered from the Halil River. Almost all of those killed in the Monday flood were Afghan nationals residing in Iran, as reported by ISNA news agency.
Jiroft, situated in the typically arid Kerman province, was hit by the sudden flood, which is a growing concern in the region due to the impacts of climate change. Scientists have warned that extreme weather events, such as intense rainstorms and droughts, are becoming more common as global temperatures rise.
In recent years, Iran has suffered from both droughts and floods. In 2022, heavy rains in southern Iran claimed at least 80 lives and caused approximately $200 million in damages.
Hyelsinta Hassan