Iran is facing an acute water crisis, marked by the worst drought in decades and reservoirs at record low levels. Tehran, home to nearly 10 million people, is especially hard hit, with major dams like Amir Kabir, Latian, and Karaj holding less than 10% of their capacity.
Officials warn that if rainfall does not return soon, water rationing will be imposed, and in the worst-case scenario, the city might face evacuation.
The government is introducing measures such as nighttime water shutoffs and penalties for excessive use. However, the crisis is worsened by ageing infrastructure prone to leaks and damage from recent conflict with Israel, notably flooding in the Tajrish district last June.
Beyond Tehran, other provinces, including West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Markazi, and Mashhad, also suffer from severely depleted water reserves, some below 3% capacity. Mashhad faces its own crisis with three out of four supplying dams non-operational.
This water scarcity is driven by years of diminished rainfall—2025 witnessed a 40% drop in precipitation nationally—and worsened by rising temperatures and climate change, which increase evaporation rates. The dwindling water supply threatens daily life, agriculture, and power generation, with many rural villages now without drinking water.
The crisis, longstanding but neglected, now constitutes a severe national emergency demanding urgent and comprehensive water management reforms to avert catastrophic shortages affecting over 16 million people in Iran’s largest cities.
Residents are already adapting by sourcing alternative water supplies amid gloomy forecasts predicting no rain in the near future.