Pope Francis on Wednesday conveyed his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected and said he is praying for the deceased, according to the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican News reported.
In his message, the Pope also said he is praying for the emergency personnel involved in rescue efforts and said he had “invoked divine blessings of consolation and strength on those who grieve”.
The floods, caused by torrential rain, have affected 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces in recent days, with Golestan in the north and Fars in the south, among the most severely affected ones.
More than two dozen people have been killed as a result of the flooding countrywide. The southern city of Shiraz, the capital of Fars province, with 19 deaths that occurred during Monday’s floods accounts for the highest number of casualties.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts are underway in several provinces.
Meteorologists are predicting that the downpours will briefly recede in most parts of the country but they have forecast more heavy showers and warned of deluges and landslides.
