Tasnim � The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has dispatched rescue and medical groups, including surgical teams, to the flood-stricken rural areas in west Iran, a commander said.

Commander of the IRGC Ground Force�s Medical Unit General Ahmad Akhavan said a number of military surgical teams have been dispatched to villages in Lorestan Province affected by serious flooding.

He added that 17 other tactical surgical teams are geared up for deployment to the flood-stricken areas.

After torrential rains in northern, western and southwestern Iran, the military forces mobilized efforts to help people trapped in the flood-affected areas and evacuate residents in the regions with an emergency situation.

Record spring rainfall that has battered Iran in the past weeks caused serious flooding in many areas, mainly the provinces of Golestan, Lorestan, Khuzestan, Fars and Ilam, forcing thousands to leave their homes.

While residents in some western areas are still in need of relief aid, the Army Ground Force, the IRGC, and Basij have deployed forces, heavy military machinery, aircraft and boats to the disaster zones.

The death toll in the disaster is now reported to be at least 70.