Tehran's Water Crisis: A Looming Catastrophe

Tehran, the capital of Iran, is facing a severe water crisis, with approximately 10 million residents experiencing rationing measures, including "nightly pressure cuts" from midnight to 5 a.m. The city has not received any rainfall since early September, marking the driest autumn in nearly 60 years. The Tehran Regional Water Authority has warned that the Karaj Dam, a crucial water source, has only two weeks of drinking water left. The situation is dire, with Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, also reporting critically low water reserves, endangering 4 million residents.

GristTehran, Mashhad, And Kerman in Emergency Status as Iran’s Water Crisis Deepens

The water crisis in Tehran is attributed to a combination of factors, including prolonged drought, climate change, and historical mismanagement. Over 82% of Iran is classified as arid or semi-arid, making the country particularly vulnerable to water shortages. Agricultural practices, which account for up to 90% of Iran's total water withdrawals, exacerbate the situation. Experts argue that decades of poorly planned megaprojects, such as dam construction and water transfer schemes, have ignored ecological balance and hydrological fundamentals.

Tehran, Mashhad, And Kerman in Emergency Status as Iran’s Water Crisis DeepensGrist

Iranian officials have implemented water pressure management strategies to mitigate the crisis, but these measures are seen as temporary solutions. The deputy head of Tehran’s Regional Water Company indicated that the reservoirs have reached a "strategic volume," meaning further extraction could jeopardize the safety of the dams. Critics, including Nasrollah Pejmanfar, head of the Article 90 Commission in Iran’s parliament, have pointed to mismanagement and lack of effective watershed management as key contributors to the crisis.

Tehran, Mashhad, And Kerman in Emergency Status as Iran’s Water Crisis Deepens

The suggestion of evacuating Tehran has been met with skepticism. Former Tehran Mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi dismissed the idea as impractical, emphasizing that the majority of jobs are concentrated in the city. Yale historian Arash Azizi noted that while the humanitarian costs of sanctions are significant, they are unlikely to be lifted in response to the water crisis. The psychological impact of potential evacuation looms large, with experts warning that the current strategies of rationing and trucking in water supplies are insufficient to address the underlying issues.

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Reports indicate that Tehran is experiencing its sixth consecutive year of drought, with some regions, including Mashhad and Kerman, already under emergency conditions. Water experts warn that if effective rainfall does not occur soon, localized evacuations may become necessary. The ongoing crisis highlights the urgent need for comprehensive water management strategies and sustainable practices to prevent further deterioration of water security in Tehran and across Iran.

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“Actually cutting off the supply to households or to individual neighborhoods de facto reduces their consumption,” — David Michel, Senior Fellow for Water Security, Center for Strategic and International Studies

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“the Doosti Dam no longer has water to transfer, and the water of Mashhad’s dams has reached zero.” — Nasrollah Pejmanfar, Head of Article 90 Commission, Iranian Parliament

Tehran, Mashhad, And Kerman in Emergency Status as Iran’s Water Crisis Deepens

“Some have also warned that if effective rainfall does not occur in the coming winter, the country may enter a broader phase of rationing and even “localized evacuation” of certain areas.” — Water Resource Experts

Tehran, Mashhad, And Kerman in Emergency Status as Iran’s Water Crisis Deepens

The water crisis in Tehran serves as a warning for other cities facing similar challenges, emphasizing the need for immediate action to secure water resources and ensure the survival of urban populations.

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