Dam levels reach critical lows
Iran faces severe water crisis as reservoir supplies plummet
Iran is staring down the barrel of a severe water crisis as reservoirs across the country continue to dry up amid a staggering drop in rainfall, officials warn. With water reserves running dangerously low, experts say the country is teetering on the edge of an emergency that could wreak havoc on agriculture, industry, and daily life.
According to Isa Bozorgzadeh, spokesperson for Iran’s water industry, rainfall in the current water year has nosedived 41% below the long-term average and 21% lower than last year’s levels. The Ministry of Energy reports that precipitation from early October to mid-March has barely reached 93.8 millimeters, a dramatic shortfall from the 157.8 millimeter average.
“This drop in precipitation has had a direct impact on our reservoirs,” Bozorgzadeh added. “Water inflow into dams has plummeted 33% compared to last year, while stored reserves have shrunk by 7% to 22.09 billion cubic meters.”
Tehran, home to over nine million people, is feeling the pinch. Images circulating on social media in recent weeks show alarmingly low water levels in the city’s key reservoirs.
The National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company of Iran (Abfa) recently revealed that Tehran’s water consumption has surged by 20%, reaching an unprecedented 48,000 liters per second due to seasonal demand spikes ahead of Nowruz and Ramadan.
“This year marks the lowest precipitation levels in the past 57 years,” said Iran’s Deputy Energy Minister for Water Affairs Mohammad Javanbakht.
The Lar, Latyan, Mamlu, and Karaj dams, which are vital for Tehran’s water supply, have been hit hard by a 47% decline in rainfall, leading to what officials call a “drastic reduction” in their reserves.
The figures paint a grim picture. In December, the Karaj Dam was 35% full, while the Lar Dam was at a mere 3% capacity. Fast forward three months, and these numbers have taken a nosedive: Karaj is now down to just 7% capacity, while Lar is teetering on the brink at 1%. The Latyan and Mamlu dams are also struggling, holding only 12% of their potential storage.
“The situation at Karaj Dam is unprecedented in its entire history of operation,” Javanbakht warned, adding that some of the remaining reserves are part of the “dead volume” that cannot be easily accessed for consumption.
Across Iran, other major reservoirs are also running on fumes. The Zayandehrud Dam, a crucial source of water for Isfahan Province, is operating at just 13% of its five-year average.
While authorities attribute the crisis to climate change and prolonged drought, experts argue that poor water management is fanning the flames. Firouz Qasemzadeh, another spokesman for Iran’s water industry, confirmed that eight provinces have seen rainfall drop by more than 50%, warning that many key reservoirs have reached dangerously low levels.
As the summer months approach, officials are bracing for worsening water stress. If rainfall doesn’t pick up, water rationing could be on the table. Experts are calling for urgent action, including better conservation practices, stricter consumption regulations, and smarter agricultural policies.
“This crisis has been years in the making, and unless we change our approach, it will only get worse,” said a senior water industry official.
With Tehran’s population growing by 2-2.5% annually and no new water sources in sight, authorities face an uphill battle to keep the taps running in the capital and beyond.