Azerbaijan, Baku, April 19 /Trend M. Moezzi/
Flooding has caused extensive damage to the water, gas and electricity infrastructure in Iran's Gilan Province, Mehr reported.
Damage to the province's agriculture has been especially heavy and nine towns have been hit hard.
The province's deputy governor for construction, Mohammad Akbarzadeh, criticized the practice of digging sand out of river beds.
The uncontrolled exploitation not only creates large debris but can change the rivers' course and can damage bridge foundations and pumping stations.