Urgent evacuation and flood mitigation operations are underway in southwest China's Yunnan Province after days of heavy rain and flooding.
Mile City in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan has been battered by heavy rain for over a week, with the local meteorological department issuing a red alert, the highest level, for heavy rain at 02:00 on Tuesday morning. The rain caused severe flooding on city roads with water depths reaching 0.7 meters in one section.
In response, firefighters were swiftly dispatched to help clear clogged roadside sewers to accelerate water discharge. After pumping out over 600 tons of water over nearly three hours, authorities were able to reopen the flooded section to traffic.
Other areas in Yunnan have also experienced persistent rainfall. Yiliang County in Zhaotong City was also hit hard by heavy downpours on Sunday and Monday, with up to 142.7 millimeters of rain falling. The extreme weather led to severe street flooding, rapidly rising river levels, and damage to homes and roads.
Local authorities immediately activated emergency response plans, urgently evacuating and relocating over 1,400 residents from affected areas.
Rainfall continued intermittently during Tuesday and the local meteorological observatory forecast scattered showers for Wednesday and warned of continued risks from landslides and flash floods.
Relief efforts underway as heavy rains sweep Yunnan
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
