Floods in Sistan and Baluchestan; Hundreds of Villages Surrounded and the Situation of Over 110,000 People Becomes Critical

Continued torrential rains in Sistan and Baluchestan have led to the encirclement of hundreds of villages and the blockage of at least 13 communication routes in the province. ISNA reported that floods have surrounded at least 387 villages in the districts of Dashtyari, Chabahar, and Qasr-e Qand, putting the situation of over 110,000 residents in southern Sistan and Baluchestan in a critical state. The head of the crisis management office in Sistan and Baluchestan stated on Thursday morning that, based on initial estimates, the floods have caused over 14 trillion rials in damages to the infrastructure of 13 counties in the province, with most of the damage occurring in the areas of roads, electricity, and agriculture. He added that the lack of roads and the destruction of bridges have made rescue operations in these areas only possible by air. Moein al-Din Saidi, a representative from Chabahar in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, also warned about the 'volume of the flood' in Sistan and Baluchestan and the 'lack of infrastructure,' expressing concern for citizens, especially 'pregnant women, patients with special needs, and dialysis patients,' and called for at least one helicopter for rescue operations in the region. Meanwhile, the head of the Red Crescent Society reported that from March 5 to 10, 26 provinces in Iran were affected by snowfall, blizzards, and flooding, with nearly 16,000 compatriots facing numerous problems and being 'trapped.' At the same time, a campaign by Baluch activists urged people to help flood victims in Sistan and Baluchestan by donating heating equipment, hygiene supplies, food items, bottled water, and tents for temporary shelter. According to the Meteorological Organization, from Friday, March 11, the cold weather across Sistan and Baluchestan will increase.