16/11/2025
Iran is currently experiencing one of the most severe droughts in its modern history, marked by critically low rainfall, reservoir depletion, and strict water rationing measures in major cities such as Tehran and Mashhad.
This crisis emerged after 2025 rainfall levels dropped 40% below average, with some regions recording deficits that exceeded 70% compared to normal years. As a result, dam and reservoir levels across the country have plummeted, with dozens of dams holding less than 5% capacity and some of Tehran’s main reservoirs at only 1–11% full.
While climate change and abnormally low rainfall have fueled the drought, experts emphasize that the crisis has been drastically worsened by decades of mismanagement.
Iran’s agricultural sector consumes about 90% of the country's water, often using inefficient irrigation and cultivating water-intensive crops.
Excessive dam construction, the proliferation of illegal wells, and unchecked groundwater extraction have further depleted resources.
Rapid population growth, outdated water infrastructure, and urban expansion have compounded the pressure on available water systems.
Many of Iran’s major cities are instituting water rationing and supply cuts, with officials warning about the possible need to evacuate parts of the capital if conditions persist.
The government is also urging the public to drastically reduce water usage, and there are mounting calls to modernize agriculture, shift to less water-demanding crops, and overhaul water management policies.
If the situation continues to deteriorate, the crisis may trigger forced migration, food shortages, and wider social unrest, as water scarcity affects daily life, farming, and public health.
The shrinking of lakes and wetlands like Lake Urmia has already led to increased dust storms and ecological disruption, impacting communities surrounding these areas.
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