SHANA -- 6 drilling rigs whose operation was halted due to recent flash floods in western Iran have now resumed their activities in the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

According to the National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC), Saeid Ghorbani, director of HSE at NIDC, said due to the discharge level of Karoon, Dez and Karkheh rivers in the province, operation of the rigs were halted in order to ensure safety measures.

Rigs No. 37, 65, 92, 24, 66 and 62 have now resumed their activities in the oil-rich province. Still, rigs No. 81 and 28 are to resume their operation, he said.

Heavy flooding in March and April affected several Iranian provinces. At least 70 people were confirmed dead by the floods and more than 200 sustained injuries.

Moreover, tens of thousands of people were displaced, and thousands were put in emergency shelters provided by the government.