Tehran residents film their daily lives as Iran faces devastating drought • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Extreme Drought: A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.
• Latian Dam & Amir Kabir Dam: Major reservoirs supplying water to Tehran.
• Satellite Imagery: Used to analyze water levels in reservoirs.
• Climate Change: A significant factor exacerbating drought conditions.
• Groundwater Management: Criticized as being poor by experts and some residents.
• Capital Relocation: Proposed as a solution by the Iranian president.

Tehran's Extreme Drought Crisis

Water Scarcity in Daily Life

Friday prayer in Tehran has become a plea for rain, highlighting the severity of the ongoing drought. Residents are experiencing severe water shortages, with taps frequently running dry. This impacts basic daily tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning, and even maintaining plants, which are dying due to lack of water. One resident described stocking up on water in their bathroom for essential rinsing, illustrating the drastic measures taken to cope. When water is available, it is often discolored, appearing yellow or brown, requiring it to run for some time before returning to a normal color.

Dam Levels and Reservoir Capacity

The crisis is directly linked to the critically low levels of the reservoirs supplying Tehran. Satellite imagery reveals that large sections of the Latian Dam lake are dried out, with the water level approximately 15 meters below its peak. Similarly, the Amir Kabir Dam shows an expanse of rock and sand where water should be at this time of year. Analysis of five key reservoirs shows alarming water shortages, with levels ranging from a mere 32% down to as low as 1% of their capacity.

Contributing Factors to the Drought

The primary reason for this extreme drought is the exceptionally low rainfall this year, with only 62 mm recorded. This marks the fifth consecutive year of rainfall significantly below the yearly average. According to the World Weather Attribution, climate change is identified as a major contributor, having made such an event 50 times more likely due to global warming.

Criticism of Authorities and Proposed Solutions

While climate change is a significant factor, experts and some residents also point to poor groundwater management by the authorities. The Iranian president's announcement to move the capital is met with skepticism and criticism. Residents argue that relocating a metropolis of 10 million people is an unrealistic and impractical solution, as their lives, work, and children's education are tied to Tehran. They liken the president's suggestion to flamingos being able to "fly" to another city, emphasizing the impossibility of such a move for the general population.

The Role of Snowfall

The scarcity of snow on the surrounding mountains is another concerning factor. Snowfall typically serves as an essential natural water resource for the capital, and its absence further exacerbates the water crisis.

Conclusion

Tehran is facing an unprecedented drought crisis, characterized by critically low reservoir levels, severe water rationing, and a significant impact on daily life. While climate change is a major driver, poor groundwater management is also cited as a contributing factor. The proposed solution of relocating the capital is widely viewed as impractical by residents, who are grappling with the immediate consequences of water scarcity. The lack of natural water replenishment, such as snowfall, further compounds the dire situation.