Iran warns of severe water crisis in Tehran as dams near dry-up

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that if water consumption is not reduced, dams supplying water to Tehran could run dry in just a few months. Tehran’s water company has called the current crisis the worst in a century, with dam levels at their lowest point in 100 years.

Speaking after visiting the city of Zanjan, President Pezeshkian said, “If we fail to manage the situation, and people do not help, there will be no water left in the dams.” He added that with schools reopening and no sign of rain before October, water demand is expected to rise even more.

Last month, parts of Iran recorded a heat index of 65°C (149°F), making it one of the hottest places on Earth. Climate change and five years of continuous drought have worsened the water crisis.

According to state news agency IRNA, only 20% of water remains in the dams that supply Tehran, and the national average water level in reservoirs is down to just 44%.

The government confirmed Monday that several dams supplying drinking water to Tehran are drying up. Officials have warned that water supply to the capital could run out within weeks and have urged people to save water.

At a cabinet meeting, President Pezeshkian admitted that the water crisis is much worse than it appears. He blamed years of poor water management policies for the current situation.

Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian said only 14% of the capacity remains in the city’s four main dams. Water pressure is now so low that in many tall buildings in the capital, water is not reaching above the second floor.

Authorities have asked residents to install water tanks and pumps to deal with the shortage.

Meanwhile, some Iranian media outlets have criticized the government for focusing too much on household water use.

The reformist newspaper Shargh wrote that nearly 86.5% of Iran’s water is used for agriculture, not households, suggesting the government is blaming the wrong people.

Though there’s no official declaration of a national water emergency, many areas are also facing at least two hours of power cuts daily.

Last week, the director of Karaj Dam, one of Tehran’s main water sources, told Mehr News that electricity generation from the dam will likely stop within two weeks due to falling water levels.