Iran’s Water Crisis Deepens with Heatwave
Iranian authorities have issued a stark warning to residents to reduce water consumption as the country battles severe shortages during an unprecedented heatwave. Local media reports highlight the critical state of water resources, with some areas experiencing temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).
Root Causes of the Shortage
The scarcity of water in Iran, especially in its arid southern provinces, is attributed to a combination of factors including mismanagement, overuse of underground water sources, and the escalating effects of climate change. This has led to reservoirs reaching their lowest levels in a century.
Government Measures and Public Response
In response to the crisis, Tehran province declared a public holiday to mitigate the heat’s impact and encourage water and electricity conservation. Authorities have also implemented water supply reductions in some areas, leading to outages lasting up to 18 hours. The Energy Minister has apologized for these measures, stating they are necessary for better resource management.