Tehran Faces Imminent Water Crisis as Drought Worsens
The Iranian capital, Tehran, is facing a critical water shortage, with drinking water supplies under severe threat. The situation has become dire due to a prolonged drought and a significant decrease in rainfall, as reported by Annahar.
Water Reserves Depleted
According to Behzad Parsa, the director of Tehran’s water company, the Amir Kabir Dam, one of the five main dams supplying water to Tehran, currently holds only 14 million cubic meters of water. This represents a mere 8% of its total capacity. Parsa indicated that at this rate, the dam can only continue to supply water to Tehran for a period of two weeks. This alarming situation underscores the severity of the crisis.
Drought and Reduced Rainfall
Iran is experiencing its worst drought in decades, exacerbating the water crisis. Last month, local authorities reported that rainfall levels in Tehran province, which is home to over 10 million people, were at their lowest in nearly a century. Parsa noted that a year ago, the Amir Kabir Dam held 86 million cubic meters of water. The decline in water levels is a direct result of a 100% decrease in rainfall in the Tehran region.
Consumption and Shortages
Tehran residents consume approximately 3 million cubic meters of water daily. To manage the dwindling resources, water has been cut off in several neighborhoods in recent days. These measures followed frequent water outages during the summer. To conserve water and energy, the government declared two public holidays during July and August. The country also experienced a heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in Tehran and 50 degrees Celsius in some areas, leading to near-daily power outages.
Looking Ahead
The situation in Tehran highlights the impact of climate change and the urgent need for sustainable water management strategies. The depletion of water resources poses significant challenges for the city and its residents. The combination of drought, reduced rainfall, and high consumption rates has created a critical situation that demands immediate action. The report from Annahar reveals a grim picture of the water crisis facing Tehran, emphasizing the need for swift and effective solutions.
Source: Annahar
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