Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stark warning about the capital city's future, stating that Tehran could face severe water shortages that might force evacuation if rainfall doesn't occur soon.
Government Confronts Multiple Crises
During his visit to Sanandaj in western Iran on Thursday, President Pezeshkian revealed that the government is battling a combination of economic, environmental, and social challenges. The president acknowledged that both domestic policy failures and international sanctions have contributed to high prices and inflation affecting the nation.
"High prices and inflation are the fault of both the parliament and the government," Pezeshkian stated according to Daily Itimad. "There are efforts underway, but limited financial resources mean projects remain unfinished."
Alarming Water Crisis Situation
The president turned his attention to the drought-induced water emergency, emphasizing that Iran faces serious natural challenges including dramatically reduced rainfall and dwindling water resources. He described the situation in Tehran as "alarming" and stressed the urgent need for better management and conservation of water and energy.
"If it doesn't rain, we will have to start restricting water supplies in Tehran next month," Pezeshkian warned. "If the drought continues, we will run out of water and be forced to evacuate the city."
Tehran's Critical Water Infrastructure
Tehran's water supply depends heavily on five main dams:
- Lar Dam
- Mamlu Dam
- Amir Kabir Dam (the largest)
- Taleqan Dam
- Latyan Dam
Iran has suffered a sharp decline in rainfall over the past five years, with meteorological data showing precipitation in Tehran this year is approximately 40% below seasonal averages. The lack of rainfall, particularly during spring and summer, has caused reservoir levels to drop dramatically, affecting both surface and groundwater reserves.
The severity of the situation was highlighted on July 20 when the Tehran Water Authority warned that reservoirs supplying the capital had reached their lowest level in a century due to prolonged drought. Intermittent water cuts have already been implemented during summer months to manage the crisis.
On November 3, Behzad Parsa, head of the Tehran Water Authority, revealed that dam reserves could supply the city for only two more weeks if dry conditions persist. This alarming timeline adds urgency to the president's warnings.
President Pezeshkian had previously cautioned on July 23 that if the crisis continued without effective measures, providing water to the public would soon become impossible. The combination of environmental challenges and economic constraints creates a perfect storm that threatens the viability of Iran's capital city.
