Intense drought, poor management, and demonstrations: Iran grapples with escalating water shortage issues
In the heart of Iran, the capital city of Tehran, is facing a critical water crisis that threatens the lives of millions and the stability of the regime. The crisis, caused in part by prolonged drought, climate change, and poor governmental management, has led to water cuts of up to 12 hours for heavy consumers after three warnings.
Water companies in the capital have started implementing these measures to conserve water. They are also shutting some wells to reduce groundwater overextraction and launching urgent water transfer and conservation campaigns. However, these efforts have not been enough to combat the severity of the crisis.
The water flow to dams across the country has dropped by 43% compared to last year, and in Tehran, rainfall has decreased by about 46% this year compared to the average. As a result, major rivers, including the Zayandeh Rud in Isfahan, are drying up.
Experts blame the government for building dams without proper planning, allocating water to irrigation-heavy crops in deserts, and neglecting old and leaking infrastructure. The crisis has been caused, in part, by the government's mismanagement of water resources.
The water scarcity has caused routine rationing and widespread hardship, fueling social unrest. The crisis reflects broader administrative issues and is exacerbating public discontent amid years of government mismanagement. Water scarcity has become a significant implicit challenge to political stability.
President Masud Pezeshkian has indicated that the continued survival of Tehran as the capital is in question, marking a significant challenge to political stability. The crisis threatens Tehran’s future viability as a capital city, and the government's failure to manage resources responsibly undermines its legitimacy.
Politically, the water crisis is a pressing issue. It is threatening Tehran’s future viability as a capital city and fueling social unrest. The government's mismanagement of water resources and the resulting crisis are eroding public trust and potentially aggravating political instability.
References:
- Iran’s Water Crisis: A Looming Threat
- Iran's Capital Tehran Faces Water Shortage Amid Drought
- Iran's Water Crisis: A Ticking Time Bomb
- Iran's Water Crisis: A Political Time Bomb
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