Leader of Islamic Ummah Imam Ali Khamenei calls on nation to support relief efforts in flood-hit northern Iran

Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called on officials and the nation to assist the flood-affected people of the two northern Iranian provinces of Golestan and Mazandaran.

Leader of Islamic Ummah Sayyed Imam Ali Khamenei also ordered Iran’s Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Baqeri to step up relief efforts in the flood-hit areas, where incessant rain has affected over 56,000 people in at least 70 villages in Golestan and more than 200 in Mazandaran, according to local officials.

General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces said on Saturday that its forces are planned to be deployed to the flood-hit areas to take part in relief operations.

The Armed Forces, including the Army, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), the Law Enforcement, and the Basij (mobilization) Force, along with other relief organizations, will use all their capabilities to control and minimize damages created by the floods, read a statement released on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani asked Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli to mobilize all means in the affected and neighboring provinces to provide immediate relief aid to people.

Footage from both provinces showed massive flows of water running over roads and streets, with cars being washed away, people struggling to walk, and traffic being disrupted.

The flooding has claimed the lives of five people and destroyed hundreds of home over the past few days.