Water, electricity supplies restored after strong quake hit Iran’s southwest

Latest reports from a powerful earthquake that rocked the southwestern Iranian province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad show that authorities have managed to restore water supply and electricity thanks to diligent efforts exerted by rescue teams operating in the afflicted areas.

The earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale hit the southwestern province late on Wednesday, forcing people in the capital city of Yasuj and neighboring Sisakht to flee their homes.

The quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kilometres and was reportedly felt in several other cities and towns in the region, particularly affected Sisakht and left at least 60 people injured and hundreds of homes destroyed.

Reports said rescue teams from four neighboring provinces were swiftly deployed to the quake-stricken city despite adverse weather conditions hampering aid supply to the area, adding that relief items such as tents, blankets and aid packages had been distributed among the people.

The head of the provincial crisis management department said the issue of roads and their collapse was resolved and the debris was also removed, and that water, electricity, gas and telephone services were again available.

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi (pictured above, 2nd L) arrived in Yasuj early on Saturday and held meetings with provincial officials to be briefed on latest developments surrounding emergency services and relief supply to the quake-stricken areas.

“The earthquake in the city of Sisakht worried us all, and thank God, some measures have been taken so far,” he told reporters. “I hope that God will bestow his patience upon all the people of Sisakht, and that we will have blessing to do something to improve their situation.”

Raisi also emphasized that those in charge should prioritize dealing with problems of the victims of the Sisakht earthquake.