Water crisis in this country may lead to dry taps visible from space

Earlier this month, worshippers at a Tehran mosque gathered to pray for rain, some lifting their faces skyward, others bowing in solemn hope. Their plea reflects growing desperation. The city faces a critical water shortage, prompting the Iranian president to suggest possible evacuation if conditions worsen.

Despite the passing weeks, rainfall remains minimal. Concerns mount that Tehran, home to roughly 15 million people, could run out of water entirely. President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that if the city does not receive rain by December, water will be rationed, and evacuation might become necessary. Experts caution that relocating residents is impractical, yet the statement underscores the crisis' severity.

While Tehran is in the spotlight, the drought extends far beyond the capital. Twenty provinces have experienced no rain since the rainy season began in late September, according to Mohsen B. Mesgaran, associate professor at the University of California, Davis. Nearly 10% of Irans dams are effectively empty.

The causes of Irans water crisis are complex: decades of overuse, aging and leaky infrastructure, widespread dam construction, mismanagement, and corruption allegations. Climate change exacerbates the problem, bringing hotter, drier weather that prevents reservoirs from replenishing. This drought is the worst Iran has faced in at least 40 years, with water levels dropping even when they would normally recover, according to Amir AghaKouchak of UC Irvine.

Tehran, previously less affected by water shortages, now struggles as its main reservoirs are only around 11% full. The Latyan Dam, 15 miles from the city, stands at 9% capacity, leaving much of its riverbed dry. The Amir Kabir Dam, 40 miles northwest, is at 8% capacity. In Mashhad, Irans second-largest city, reservoir levels are just 3%, reported Hossein Esmailian of the local water utility.

Experts describe Iran as facing water bankruptcy, drawing from rivers, lakes, wetlands, and underground aquifers faster than replenishment occurs. Government policies aimed at food self-sufficiency and expanding irrigated agriculture have intensified the problem. About 90% of Irans water is used for farming, including water-intensive crops like rice, with irrigated farmland having doubled since 1979.

Lake Urmia, once one of the worlds largest saltwater lakes, has drastically shrunk due to drought and upstream water diversion for agriculture. Industrial water use, growing cities, and failing infrastructurewhere an estimated 30% of treated water is lostcompound the stress. Experts emphasize that climate change has intensified this ongoing crisis, now in its sixth consecutive year.

Tehran residents face uncertain access to water. While formal rationing has not been implemented, water pressure is inconsistent and taps occasionally run dry. Conflicting government messages have fueled mistrust and conspiracy theories. Evacuation remains unlikely, as most citizens cannot afford to leave, though temporary measures like emergency public holidays have been tried.

The government has also experimented with cloud seeding to induce rainfall, though its effectiveness is debated. Experts stress that meaningful long-term solutions require reform, including shifting away from water-intensive agriculture and diversifying the economy, though such changes risk social and economic backlash.

For now, authorities and citizens alike place hope in the arrival of rain. Mehdi Chamran, Tehran City Council head, suggested maintaining the traditional practice of praying for rain. However, even if precipitation occurs, it is unlikely to fully address the crisis. Groundwater depletion and ecosystem collapse mean recovery will be slow, and delays in reform leave fewer options. Experts warn that Irans water shortage is not only an environmental concern but increasingly shapes the countrys social and political future.

Analysis: Iran's Growing Water Crisis and its Far-Reaching Consequences

The severe water shortage in Tehran and across Iran has become a critical issue, with the city’s residents looking toward the skies for rain. However, as the days pass without meaningful rainfall, it is clear that the crisis goes beyond a mere weather fluctuation. The government’s suggestion of potential evacuations, though unlikely, highlights the escalating urgency of the situation. With the capital facing dwindling water supplies and other regions suffering from prolonged drought, the need for comprehensive reforms has never been more pressing.

The causes of Iran's water scarcity are multifaceted. Over-extraction of water for agricultural use, inefficient infrastructure, and climate change have combined to push the country into what experts are calling a "water bankruptcy." These issues have been compounded by decades of mismanagement, making the current situation harder to reverse. The government’s policy of expanding irrigated agriculture to achieve food self-sufficiency has inadvertently worsened water depletion, with nearly 90% of the country's water consumed by farming activities. The increasing reliance on water-intensive crops, coupled with inefficient irrigation systems, has made this crisis even more difficult to resolve.

The failure of the existing water management system, along with a lack of sustainable agricultural practices, has left many regions, including Tehran, vulnerable. For instance, Tehran’s main reservoirs are only about 10% full, and other large reservoirs in cities like Mashhad are similarly critically low. The shrinking of Lake Urmia, once one of the largest saltwater lakes in the world, further demonstrates the severity of the situation and the long-term environmental damage caused by mismanagement and water overuse.

While short-term measures, such as cloud seeding and temporary public holidays, have been attempted, these actions are unlikely to provide a lasting solution. The real challenge lies in reforming water use practices, shifting away from water-intensive agriculture, and addressing inefficiencies in the system. However, implementing these reforms is politically and economically challenging. As the water crisis worsens, it will increasingly influence not only Iran’s environment but also its social and political stability. The crisis is shaping up to be one of the country’s most pressing challenges in the coming years, with the potential for long-term consequences if not adequately addressed.

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• Taps may run dry in this country, where the water crisis is so severe it can be seen from space