Iran grapples with water shortage and sweltering temperatures surpassing 50 degrees Celsius - Iran experiences extreme water scarcity and temperatures surpassing 50 degrees Celsius
In the bustling metropolis of Tehran, the capital city of Iran, millions of residents are facing a daunting challenge: a severe water and heat crisis. The city's water taps have run dry for hours in recent days, and the reservoirs are at critically low levels, with a high risk of running out of water by the end of the summer if consumption is not controlled[1][2][3][4].
The crisis is a result of a perfect storm of factors, including five consecutive years of drought, a 40-50% drop in rainfall, high temperatures reaching up to 48°C with high humidity, excessive extraction from aquifers, and systemic mismanagement in water and agricultural policies[1][2][4]. Over 24 provinces, including Tehran and Alborz, are under water stress, and some dam reservoirs supplying the capital and other cities are nearly or completely empty[1][2][4].
The heatwave is causing additional strain, with temperatures in other cities climbing above 45 degrees. The southern city of Omidieh even recorded 51 degrees on a Thursday[5]. The oil-rich province of Khuzestan, one of the hottest inhabited regions on Earth, is also experiencing increasing power outages and water shortages, making life particularly difficult during heatwaves[6].
The crisis is taking a significant toll on social life in Tehran. Residents are grappling with daily hardships such as tap water being unavailable for hours, low water pressure, and the need for emergency water conservation measures[4]. Families with young children face difficulties due to lack of refrigeration, leading to disruptions like relocating children within the city to ensure better water access[4].
The government is aware of the severity of the crisis. National officials have expressed concern and warned about future consequences if urgent actions are not taken[2][3]. Some have even suggested that Tehran's status as the capital may no longer be sustainable under current conditions[2][3].
Iran's situation mirrors trends in other drought-prone regions, such as parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and California in the USA. However, Iran's political and economic context intensifies its impact on the population, with factors like political mismanagement, economic sanctions, and rapid urban population growth compounding the natural climate-driven challenges more severely than in some other affected nations[1][2].
The situation in Iran is a stark reminder of the urgent need for global cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. As temperatures continue to rise and water resources dwindle, it is crucial that nations work together to find sustainable solutions that ensure the well-being of their populations.
Sources: [1] NCR Iran, July 2025 [2] Juan Cole, July 2025 [3] Iran Intl, July 2025 [4] BlueWin, July 2025 [5] [Unspecified Source, July 2025] [6] [Unspecified Source, July 2025]
- In the face of gridlock caused by water and heat crises, EC countries must reconsider their energy policies to prioritize renewable energy sources, reducing the strain on drought-prone regions like Iran.
- To mitigate the effects of climate change on health-and-wellness, it's essential that the global community invests in science and environmental-science to develop holistic policies addressing issues such as water scarcity in regions like Iran.
