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Tehran Battles Unprecedented Water Crisis
14 Dec
Summary
- Reservoirs and dams operate at critically low capacity.
- Drought is the driest in over 50 years.
- Potential for severe supply instability and rationing.
Iran is confronting a severe water crisis, marked by the driest period in over half a century. Recent rainfall in Tehran provided temporary respite, but the nation's water resources, including reservoirs and aquifers, remain critically strained. Major dams are functioning at alarmingly low capacities, with some hydroelectric facilities halting operations due to depleted reservoirs.
Officials warn of significant supply instability if precipitation does not substantially increase before the end of December. Decades of inefficient water use, overextraction of groundwater, and pipeline leakage have compounded the impact of reduced rainfall. This has led to land subsidence in major regions as aquifers fail to recover.
Public frustration is mounting, with localized protests occurring as water pressure cuts and unannounced outages become more frequent. The government is under pressure to implement conservation measures and address systemic failures to mitigate the crisis's far-reaching effects on agriculture, economic stability, and regional food markets.
