Iran Faces Severe Drought, Tehran Evacuation Considered

Tehran and other major Iranian cities are confronting an unprecedented drought this autumn, prompting officials to warn of potential water rationing and, in the most extreme scenario, the evacuation of the capital.

President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that if sufficient rainfall does not arrive soon, Tehran’s water supply could be rationed, but cautioned that even rationing might prove insufficient to avert a crisis. “If rationing doesn’t work,” Pezeshkian said, “we may have to evacuate Tehran.” This statement has sparked debate, with former Tehran mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi dismissing the idea as unrealistic. The situation is particularly concerning as meteorological officials report no rainfall is expected in the next ten days.

Water levels in key reservoirs are critically low; the Latian Dam, a primary source for Tehran, holds less than 10% of its capacity, while the Karaj Dam, supplying both Tehran and Alborz provinces, is in a similar state. Mohammad-Ali Moallem, manager of the Karaj Dam, reported a “92% decrease in rain compared to last year,” adding that the reservoir contains only 8% “dead water.” Beyond Tehran, provinces including West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, and Markazi are also experiencing dangerously low dam levels, exacerbating a water crisis that has been building for decades and threatens agricultural production and public health. Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city, faces an even more dire situation, with water reserves at below 3% capacity, according to Hossein Esmaeilian, CEO of Mashhad’s Water and Wastewater Company.

The government attributes the crisis not only to lack of rainfall but also to aging infrastructure and damage potentially linked to recent conflict. Energy Minister Ali Abadi cited water leakage from Tehran’s century-old pipes and referenced the recent 12-day conflict with Israel, during which infrastructure in the Tajrish neighborhood was targeted. Authorities are preparing to penalize excessive water consumption and are hoping for late autumn rains, though forecasts remain pessimistic. You can learn more about the global impact of droughts from the United Nations.

Officials have announced plans to potentially cut water supplies if the dry weather persists, and are continuing to assess the evolving situation.