Heavy rainfall triggered a devastating flood in the Kandovan area of Iran, causing significant damage and sweeping away at least four vehicles. Three people are reported missing, and search efforts are ongoing, Entekhab reported on June 14.

The intense downpour, which occurred over a short period, led to severe flooding in the Dezdban area, Darband and Owshan Bridge along the Chalus-Kandovan road. This caused the road to close and disconnect much of the country's north from Tehran. 

The force of the floodwaters was so strong that it carried away several vehicles parked alongside the road and in the restaurant's parking lot. A video of the incident was uploaded to local social media channels on Instagram. 

Mohammad Sharifi, the governor of Chalus, confirmed that five vehicles had been recovered from the mud and debris, with half belonging to locals and the other half to visitors.

Emergency response teams from the Road Maintenance Department, ambulance services, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the Red Crescent, and the police were immediately dispatched to the affected area.

While no fatalities have been reported, Gholamali Fakhari, head of the Mazandaran Red Crescent Society, stated that three people are believed to be missing. Meanwhile, 12 rescue teams are conducting search operations to locate any potentially missing vehicles and their occupants.

Mazandaran Province Governor Yousef Nouri visited the flood-stricken area and called for a thorough investigation into the incident. He warned of serious action against any officials found negligent or responsible for the disaster.

The Chalus-Kandovan road remains closed for safety, although debris has been partially cleared. Authorities emphasise that the closure will continue until the road is deemed safe for travel.

The heavy floods followed only hours after hundreds of wildfires struck the west of the country earlier on June 13.

The International Red Crescent and Cross Society reported on June 13 El Niño was the primary driver of extreme rainfall in April and May that caused widespread flash flooding across Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, doubling the chance of the extreme rainfall.

According to a new WWA study, rainfall in the area affected had become 25% heavier in the last 40 years, increasing the risk of devastating flash floods.