Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that the capital, Tehran, could face severe water shortages and may even be forced to evacuate if it does not rain soon.
Speaking during a visit to the city of Sanandaj in western Iran, Pezeshkian said the government is facing a combination of economic, environmental and social crises.
He said that high prices and inflation were the result of both domestic policy failures and international sanctions.
"High prices and inflation are the fault of both parliament and the government. There are efforts underway, but limited financial resources mean that projects remain unfinished," he said.
Referring to the water crisis caused by drought, Pezeshkian warned that Iran faces serious natural challenges, including decreasing rainfall and water resources.
"If it doesn't rain, we will have to start restricting the water supply in Tehran next month. If the drought continues, we will run out of water and be forced to evacuate the city," he said.
The president stressed the urgent need for better management and conservation of water and energy resources, describing the situation in Tehran as "alarming."
It is known that Tehran's water supply depends on five main dams, Lar, Mamlu, Amir Kabir, Taleqan, and Latyan, with Amir Kabir being the largest.
However, Iran has experienced a significant decline in rainfall over the past five years, and meteorological data shows that rainfall in Tehran this year is about 40% below seasonal averages.
The lack of rainfall, especially in spring and summer, has caused a drastic drop in reservoir levels, affecting both surface and underground reserves.
The Tehran Water Authority warned on July 20 that reservoirs supplying the capital had reached their lowest level in a century due to a prolonged drought. /Telegraph/
