TEHRAN (IRNA) — Iranian airlines have been forced to cancel flights from the south-western city of Ilam to Mashhad and Tehran, and back from Tehran to Sanandaj, etc., due to weather conditions and heavy rains.

Due to the threat of flooding in Khuzestan province, a state of emergency has been declared. Further large-scale flooding is expected in the western and south-western provinces, including Khuzestan, Ilam, Lurestan, Kermanshah and Kurdistan. On Sunday, Iranian Airports issued a press release asking passengers to check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport.

Earlier, Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian said that the authorities were working tirelessly to control floodwaters and minimize potential damage.

It should be noted that over the past week, following floods caused by heavy rains, at least 42 people have been killed in northern, western and south-western Iran and dozens more have been injured.