Tehran Battles Severe Water Crisis

The capital of Iran, Tehran, could run out of water within weeks as the country suffers from a serious water crisis, according to CNN.

Main reservoirs are drying up, authorities are trying to reduce water consumption, and residents are desperately attempting to conserve it to avoid disaster.

"If we do not make immediate decisions today, we will face an insurmountable situation in the future," said President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Tehran, with a population of nearly 10 million, could have no water at all if consumption levels are not decreased, experts warn.

They believe the crisis may be attributed to decades of poor water management and an increasing imbalance between supply and demand, compounded by climate change.

Iran is experiencing one of the strongest droughts in its history, now continuing for the fifth consecutive year. The country is also enduring unbearable heat.

In response to the crisis, authorities have reduced water pressure in Tehran by nearly half, affecting about 80% of households, reported Mohammad Sadeq Motamedian, head of Tehran Province.

Kaveh Madani, director of the UN University’s Institute for Water Resources, Environment, and Health, stated that water is being supplied to the capital by tankers, and residents who can afford it are installing storage tanks. "We have never had such a situation; this is new for Tehran," said an Iranian official.

Additionally, there are currently discussions about granting Tehran residents a one-week state holiday, with authorities hoping that the absence of people from the city will decrease water demand.