Iran is currently experiencing its worst drought in six decades, a severe crisis that has prompted unprecedented warnings from authorities regarding the capital. President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly stated that the city of Tehran, home to over 10 million people, may face evacuation due to critical water shortages if adequate rainfall does not materialize by the end of December. The severity of the situation is underscored by the fact that reservoirs supplying the capital, including the Amir Kabir Dam, have reached historically low levels, currently holding roughly half of the water recorded in the previous water year.
The crisis is a direct consequence of a combination of climatic factors and chronic mismanagement. Precipitation has declined by 40% this year compared to the long-term average. However, the crisis is amplified by decades of chronic mismanagement and corruption in water distribution, alongside the over-exploitation of groundwater resources for energy-intensive agricultural schemes. This failure to implement sustainable practices has led to a major depletion of national water reserves.This severe water scarcity directly impacts food production, agriculture, and national water security, compounding existing economic stress from sanctions and high inflation. The government has already warned of mandatory water rationing starting in late November or early December. The potential need to evacuate a megacity like Tehran signals that the crisis has become a political emergency, threatening broader livelihoods and social stability across the nation.
