At least 56 people have died and 28 remain unaccounted for after sudden downpours triggered widespread flooding across 21 of Iran’s provinces, according to emergency officials and national rescue services. The situation evolved over the last several days as heavy rain swept across the country, impacting towns and rural communities from the north to the south and from the west to the east. Local authorities report that rescue operations remain active as teams work to locate missing residents and deliver aid to affected households. These casualty figures come from the national rescue organization, with updates continuing to arrive as field assessments are completed and more areas are surveyed for damage.
Mehdi Valipour, who heads the rescue organization responsible for coordinating search and relief efforts, confirmed that 32 of the confirmed deaths occurred in Tehran province, according to Iran’s state news agency. Provincial authorities are coordinating with central agencies to accelerate recovery efforts, distribute supplies, and restore essential services to communities in need.
Across 21 of Iran’s 31 provinces, flooding affected major urban centers and rural districts alike. Areas in the north, south, center, east and west experienced varying degrees of inundation, with Tehran, Markazi, Yazd, Chahar Mahal Bakhtiari, Guilan and Hormozgan singled out in initial casualty and impact reports. As the rain persisted, local officials urged residents to remain indoors where possible, avoid floodwater, and heed official advisories related to road closures and power outages.
In Tehran province, the heaviest rainfall fell on the Emamzadeh Daoud area, where floods were accompanied by landslides in several neighborhoods. The northeast of the province, particularly the Firuzkuh region, reported additional fatalities as crews conducted rescue operations and assessed road conditions to determine accessibility for emergency responders. The rescue chief noted that search efforts continue for the 28 missing individuals scattered across multiple cities, emphasizing the ongoing risk posed by rising water levels and unstable terrain.
Meteorological officials warned that rainfall is likely to persist through the coming days, urging residents to avoid mountainous areas and streams that may swell rapidly. Authorities also advised extra caution for drivers, given slick road surfaces and the potential for sudden flash floods along rivers and low-lying routes. The ongoing weather pattern has pushed local governments to mobilize resources from neighboring provinces, accelerating containment and recovery measures for communities still recovering from previous weather events.
The floods have disrupted transportation networks and damaged many buildings and homes in several locales. In Yazd province, a UNESCO World Heritage site sustained minor damage during the flood response, with restoration crews already beginning initial repairs. Local administrators described the impact as limited but noted that historic structures require careful preservation as restoration work progresses. State television coverage highlighted the coordination between provincial authorities and national agencies to manage the crisis, communicate safety information, and provide immediate shelter where needed.