Iranian Authorities Warn of Severe Water Shortages in Major Cities

Iranian authorities have alerted the public to a severe water shortage affecting multiple provinces as a result of declining rainfall levels, calling on residents to reduce water consumption.

Omid Fazfi, head of the National Center for Climate and Crisis Management under the Iranian Meteorological Organization, emphasized the need for water conservation amid water stress in major cities including Tehran, Karaj, Mashhad, and Isfahan.

Fazfi reported that the average rainfall this year reached 225 millimeters, compared to a long-term average of 217 millimeters, representing a 4% increase. However, this increase was concentrated in January and April with a 25% rise, while rainfall decreased in April and May.

Several provinces such as Tehran, Qom, Qazvin, Semnan, Markazi, and Gilan are experiencing acute water shortages. Specifically in Tehran, rainfall measured only 155 millimeters against an average of 250 millimeters, marking a 38% decline and the lowest level recorded historically.

Fazfi explained that rainfall distribution varies across provinces; for example, Tehran and Alborz share a single water basin that is currently facing a severe crisis.

Mashhad is confronting what Fazfi described as a "human drought" due to high population density and upstream control measures that have reduced water flow to dams, despite normal rainfall in Razavi Khorasan. Arak and Saveh are also facing similar water crises.

Residents in Mashhad, Tehran, Saveh, Arak, and Karaj have been urged to practice water conservation to prevent shortages in drinking water supplies. Fazfi warned that the crisis could affect not only agricultural sectors but also domestic water availability.