Flash floods hit Iran and Iraq by Rob McElwee
Thunderstorms and downpours across northern Iraq and parts of Iran late on Wednesday and into Thursday have led to flash floods that killed 16 people and forced hundreds out of their homes.
Some of the worst hit places in Iran were Bazoft and Lebed, where muddy floodwaters inundated roads and fields, drowning livestock and submerging homes. Gale force winds accompanied the torrential rains, downing trees and power lines.
In the Choman district of northern Iraq’s Kurdistan region, flooding left roads impassable and destroyed several hydroelectric generators in mountainous areas near the Iranian border.
The summer months in Iraq and Iran are usually very hot and dry and run from May to September, and are virtually rainless, with the heaviest precipitation falling between December and March.
The recent heavy rain and flooding is thus a rare occurrence at this time of the year. A deep area of low pressure generated over the eastern Mediterranean was responsible for the intense downpours.
Over the next few days both Iran and Iraq can expect their more usual warm, dry and sunny weather, which is good news for the flood victims.
