As Iran faces one of the most severe droughts in its modern history, the government has announced plans to implement periodic water cuts across Tehran, a city of nearly 10 million residents. The drastic measure comes amid the lowest rainfall in over a century, leaving reservoirs dangerously depleted and forcing authorities to act before the situation spirals beyond control.
According to local officials, half of Iran’s provinces have not seen a single drop of rain in months, and the Amir Kabir Dam — one of the five main reservoirs supplying Tehran — is almost empty. It currently holds only 14 million cubic metres of water, compared to 86 million cubic metres at the same time last year. Experts warn that this reserve can sustain the city for less than two weeks if conditions remain unchanged.
“This will help avoid waste even though it may cause inconvenience,” Iran’s Energy Minister Abbas Ali Abadi said in a televised statement, acknowledging the discomfort these cuts may cause but emphasizing the necessity for preservation.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a speech broadcast Friday, issued a stark warning — if the drought continues and no rainfall arrives before year’s end, authorities might even be forced to evacuate Tehran. Such a move, though unprecedented, underscores the alarming reality of the environmental crisis gripping the nation.
Tehran, nestled along the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains, has long depended on autumn rains and winter snowmelt. However, climate change and overuse have disrupted these natural cycles, pushing the city into an emergency state.
Reports from state television also revealed that major dams in Isfahan and Tabriz show critically low water levels, while Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city, is already considering night-time water cuts to conserve what remains. Earlier this summer, Tehran declared public holidays in July and August to reduce water and energy consumption as power outages became frequent during record-breaking heatwaves.
This crisis serves as a stark reminder that water — a resource many take for granted — is now at the heart of survival. While temporary cuts may provide short-term relief, Iran’s long-term stability depends on sustainable water management, responsible consumption, and environmental adaptation. The story of Tehran’s drought isn’t just about scarcity — it’s a warning for the entire world to rethink how we treat nature before nature forces us to stop.
