Iran Grapples with Severe Water Shortages as Temperatures Pass 50°C

Iran is facing an escalating water crisis as extreme heat pushes temperatures above 50°C in several provinces, leaving reservoirs critically low and triggering widespread supply cuts. Authorities have urged citizens to limit their water use and have shut down public sector offices to ease the mounting pressure on essential services.

Record-Breaking Heat Strains Water Supply

Over the past week, parts of Iran have experienced temperatures rising to unprecedented levels, with Shabankareh recording a sweltering 52.8°C, and cities like Abadan and Ahwaz also surpassing the 50°C threshold. In Tehran, daytime highs have remained around 40–41°C, compounding stress on the city’s water and electricity systems. This prolonged heatwave, part of a broader pattern of extreme weather events in the region, has worsened the effects of a multi-year drought, making this summer particularly severe for Iran’s water-stressed population.

In response, officials have urged households to cut their water consumption by at least 20%. President Masoud Pezeshkian described the situation as more critical than previously acknowledged, warning that without immediate action, the country could face an unmanageable crisis.

Reservoirs at Historic Lows

Iran’s water reservoirs are at their lowest levels in years, with the Karaj Dam near Tehran, one of the primary sources of the capital’s water supply, running dangerously low. In some regions, dams are operating at just 14% of their capacity, leaving many urban areas facing long water supply cutoffs, in some cases lasting over 12 hours a day.

The five-year drought has reduced surface water levels across much of the country, exposing the fragility of Iran’s water infrastructure. Government officials have also initiated discussions with neighbouring countries, including Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, to explore emergency water import agreements.

Government Measures and Public Response

To manage consumption and reduce the strain on essential services, authorities have announced public holidays, closing government offices and banks in Tehran and several other provinces. These emergency measures aim to cut overall energy and water usage during peak heat periods.

Public frustration has been mounting as outages and supply cuts become more frequent, but officials continue to stress the importance of cooperation. They have emphasised that water-saving efforts by households and businesses are essential to stabilising supplies until broader, long-term solutions can be implemented.

References:

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-861724

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/20/heatwave-causes-water-shortages-in-iran-as-temps-top-50c

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-861724

Banner image: Photo by Mahdi Derakhshani on Unsplash

Vivek Saini
Vivek Saini
Articles: 291

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