Press TV - On the orders of President Hassan Rouhani, Iran's Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian has visited Sistan-and-Baluchestan to address a�somewhat insufferable situation in the wake of a record heatwave, which has hit the southeastern�province.

The province has witnessed temperatures of 56 �C (132 �F), which have�caused�power outages, and complicated water supply�amid high consumption.


[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Picture taken on June 1, 2017 shows locals hitting the sea amid stifling heatwaves. (Photo by IRNA)[/caption]
As mercury shot up, dozens of people�were taken to hospital, while livestock and poultry also suffered and offices were forced to�close.

Friday prayers leaders across the province, which is home to a major�Sunni community, have appealed to the government for help, demanding a write-off or discount in�electricity prices.

Chitchian arrived in�the city of Konarak in the province�s extreme south on Sunday, accompanied by the provincial governor, in order�to observe the situation on the ground and compile a report for the government to take necessary measures.

Sistan-and-Baluchestan, home to close to three million people, is Iran's largest�province in terms of area.

Chitchian pledged to tackle water and electricity shortages in the province, saying the government is about to build an 800-megawatt power station, which will be funded�by�Energy Ministry.

Over the past years, he said, a number of development projects had got off the ground in the province, including�a 500-megawatt power station and water supply�to 500 villages.