Iran’s Mashhad Faces Critical Water Crisis as Reservoir Levels Plummet

Water levels in the dam reservoirs supplying the north-eastern Iranian city of Mashhad have fallen below 3%, signaling a deepening water crisis for the region and raising concerns about potential disruptions to daily life.

Hossein Esmaeilian, chief executive of Mashhad’s water company, reported the alarming decline to state media today, stating, “The water storage in Mashhad’s dams has now fallen to less than 3%.” He emphasized the urgency of the situation, adding, “The current situation shows that managing water use is no longer merely a recommendation – it has become a necessity.” Mashhad, a city of approximately 4 million people and home to Iran’s most important religious shrine, depends on four dams for its water supply. Current consumption stands at around 8,000 liters per second, with dams contributing 1,000 to 1,500 liters per second.

The crisis in Mashhad mirrors a broader national struggle with severe drought conditions. Authorities in Tehran warned over the weekend of potential rolling water cuts in the capital, and President Masoud Pezeshkian cautioned that without significant rainfall before winter, even Tehran could face the need for evacuation. Five major dams supplying the capital are at “critical” levels, with one already empty and another holding less than 8% capacity. This situation highlights the increasing strain on Iran’s water resources, a challenge exacerbated by climate change and decades of unsustainable water management practices – learn more about Iran’s water challenges at the World Bank.

Officials are urging residents to reduce consumption, with a 20% decrease seen as crucial to avoiding rationing or supply cuts. Abbasali Keykhaei of the Iranian Water Resources Management Company reported in late October that 19 major dams nationwide – roughly 10% of the country’s reservoirs – have effectively run dry. Recent reports in local newspapers have criticized the politicization of environmental decision-making, pointing to the appointment of unqualified managers as a contributing factor to the crisis; you can find more information on Iran’s political landscape at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Esmaeilian warned that those with the highest water consumption could face supply cuts first, as authorities continue to assess the situation and explore potential solutions.