More cities to be evacuated after floods in Iran

In recent weeks, large parts of Iran, hit by severe floods.

Khuzestan in western Iran was taken during the Saturday of security at the same time as the larger ponds were opened to reduce water levels.

According to the Khuzestans governor Gholamreza Shariati is a further six cities along the Karkhehfloden threatened and must be evacuated immediately, according to the BBC.

– A evakueringsorder has been issued and we encourage women and children to leave the area. We ask, however, men and young people to stay and help, " said Gholamreza Shariati to state tv.

About 70 villages in the province have already been evacuated during the past week, reports the BBC. The danger is far from over when more precipitation is to be expected in the future and further around 400,000 people are at risk.

so Far, 86,000 people had left their homes , of whom about 1,000 flown to safety. Approximately 120 kilometres of roads and more than a third of the country's electricity grid has been destroyed by the floods.

On Saturday announced its neighbour Iraq to close border crossing Sheeb against Iran because of the floods.

Floodwaters have inundated several houses in the western province of Lorestan. Photo: Bayat Azadbakht/AP

has been one of the main causes of floods in recent years in the country.

According to Iran's natural resources and skogsbruksorganisation have been widespread and unregulated deforestation has destroyed about half of Iran's northern forests, areas where major flooding has now occurred.

the Floods in Iran began in mid-march, when torrential rain fell over the north east. Most of the country's provinces, around 1,900 cities and villages, has been negatively affected since then.

Learn more: at Least 18 dead after severe floods in Iran