RadiofreeEurope/RadioLiberty: “Iran’s Water Crisis Nears Point Of No Return.” Iran faces a severe water crisis due to decades of mismanagement and the worst drought in 60 yrs. “Tehran, home to 10 million people, has started water rationing, and officials warn of possible evacuations if the situation worsens.” Authorities have begun rationing water supplies in the Iranian capital. Kaveh Madani, director of the Canada-based United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, says, “The level of their warnings is too low compared to the reality on the ground.” The definition of water bankruptcy is when consumption exceeds supply and the depletion of resources is irreversible…often driven by what experts say is misguided government policies intended to boost agriculture and development.
“Since last week, water supplies have been cut off in the evenings in Tehran….authorities have also called on people to curb consumption during the day.” Water rationing has not yet been reported in other parts of Iran.” The five main reservoirs supplying water to Tehran are at historically low levels, currently holding just 11% of overall capacity. And in Mashad, Iran’s second-largest city with 4 million residents, “reservoirs have fallen below 3% capacity, with three of the four dams supplying the city now out of operation.” Nationwide, 19 major dams — accounting for 10% of Iran’s reservoirs — have run completely dry, and more than 20 dams are holding under 5% of their capacity.
“Iran reportedly produces 85% of its food needs domestically — a self-sufficiency strategy driven by decades of international sanctions and aimed at reducing dependence on global grain markets.” The harsh + theocratic government of Iran should have been focusing on water infrastructure + efficiency improvements, rather than wasting time + money on nuclear power + weapons research. Hopelessly short-sighted.
