TEHRAN : Speaking during a visit to Zanjan on Thursday, President Pezeshkian warned that the capital’s main reservoirs could be completely depleted by October, coinciding with the start of the school year and a seasonal rise in water demand.
“If we in Tehran cannot manage the situation, and if people do not cooperate with us and we fail to control consumption, there will be no water left behind our dams,” the president said.
According to figures released by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, reservoirs serving Tehran are currently at just 20% capacity, with the national average standing at 44%. The Tehran Provincial Water Supply Company has confirmed that these are the lowest levels seen in a century.
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Authorities have advised residents to install water tanks and pumps to prepare for supply disruptions, which have already begun to affect many households. Power outages, lasting at least two hours daily, have also been introduced in cities across the country to relieve pressure on the strained grid.
Despite the focus on household water usage, media reports have challenged the government’s approach. The reformist newspaper Shargh noted that nearly 86.5% of Iran’s water is consumed by the agricultural sector, raising questions about the emphasis placed on limiting residential consumption.
Energy concerns are also mounting. Mohammad Ali Moallem, director of the Karaj Dam, one of Tehran’s key hydroelectric sources, warned last week that the dam could soon fall below operational levels for electricity generation.
The worsening shortages come as Iran continues to recover from a 12-day conflict with Israel last month, compounding the strain on infrastructure and public resources.
With no formal water rationing yet announced, President Pezeshkian’s stark message signals the urgent need for nationwide cooperation as the country teeters on the brink of a severe urban water crisis.
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