Iran Faces Worst Water Crisis in a Century: Calls for Drastic Conservation Amid Scorching Heat

As Iran reels under the most intense heatwave of the year - with temperatures soaring past 50°C (122°F) in some areas - the country is now grappling with a historic water crisis. In the capital, Tehran, water reservoir levels have plummeted to their lowest in over a century, prompting rolling water cuts and emergency conservation measures.

The crisis is being blamed on a dangerous mix of mismanagement, over-extraction of groundwater, and the accelerating effects of climate change. Southern provinces, long vulnerable to drought, are especially hard hit.

In some parts of Tehran, residents are experiencing water pressure reductions and shutoffs lasting up to 18 hours, as authorities scramble to stretch limited supplies. Tehran’s Water Management Company has called for a minimum 20% reduction in consumption, while the head of the city council, Mahdi Chamran, warned of more severe disruptions if usage doesn't drop soon.

President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the nation, calling the crisis “a long-term national challenge” that requires a total overhaul of Iran’s water management strategy. “This is not a temporary issue. It demands fundamental changes - piecemeal projects will not solve it,” he warned.

He outlined a five-pillar approach to addressing the crisis:

Pezeshkian also called for the formation of an inter-agency task force of government experts and academics to tailor water solutions by province, recognizing Iran’s vast geographic and climatic diversity.

Public awareness is key, the president emphasized. “Both policymakers and citizens must grasp the urgency. We must make water data accessible and integrate conservation into school curricula.”

As the heatwave shows no sign of relenting, Iran faces one of the most severe environmental and infrastructure crises in its modern history.