With reservoirs nearly empty and funding for emergency projects stalled, experts warn of worsening shortages threatening agriculture, industry, and public health.
Iran is facing an escalating water crisis that threatens to intensify in the coming fall and winter months. Official statistics reveal that the country’s reserves are collapsing, while funding for emergency measures has been largely abandoned. Experts warn that unless drastic changes are made, the shortages will further devastate agriculture, industry, and daily life.
Dams Running Dry and Projects Stalled
According to the latest reports, Iran’s five main dams have reached critically low levels, with reserves effectively depleted. Despite the urgency, more than 90 percent of the budget needed for water stress relief projects has not been allocated. State-run Tasnim News Agency reported that out of the 27 trillion tomans earmarked for 192 emergency water supply projects, less than 3 trillion tomans has been released. Most projects have either stalled or never advanced beyond initial planning.
The crisis is evident at the local level as well. A recent report by ILNA from Alborz province highlighted the situation at the Karaj Dam, where 80 percent of reserves have already been depleted. By contrast, at this time last year, nearly 70 percent of the province’s dams were full. Taleghan Dam, another key source, is now only 44 percent full—down 23 percent from last year.
Dozens of Cities Under Water Stress
Official figures show that 52 cities across Iran are now experiencing severe water stress. The Ministry of Energy had announced 192 projects to confront the crisis, but most face indefinite delays due to the lack of resources. Experts caution that household water outages, currently averaging four hours a day, could soon double to eight hours.
Rainfall at Record Lows
Compounding the problem, climate reports show rainfall this year is 39 percent below the long-term average and 41 percent lower than last year. The southern provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr, and Khuzestan have experienced rainfall declines of more than 50 percent. In Tehran, precipitation has dropped by 42 percent, making this one of the driest years in more than half a century.
As a result, dam inflows are 42 percent lower than last year, with reservoirs now just 38 percent full. Nineteen major dams across the country are suffering from severe drought. Several, including Lar in Tehran, Vushmgir in Golestan, Rudbal in Fars, and Shamil in Hormozgan, are almost completely empty.
Pressure on Agriculture, Industry, and the Environment
The shortage of water resources has placed enormous pressure on agriculture and industry. Wheat production has fallen sharply, while many small and medium-sized production units have been forced to scale back operations or shut down altogether due to frequent water and electricity cuts.
The environmental toll is equally severe. Wetlands and natural lakes are rapidly deteriorating. Lake Eldan in Savadkooh, Mazandaran, for instance, is projected by activists to dry up entirely within the next decade if current trends continue.
Chronic Mismanagement at the Core
While reduced rainfall and climate change are aggravating factors, experts stress that the fundamental cause of Iran’s water crisis lies in systemic mismanagement. Excessive extraction of groundwater, promotion of water-intensive crops in arid regions, overreliance on dam construction, and neglect of wastewater recycling have all contributed to the worsening situation.
Critics note that over the past four decades, the regime has consistently diverted vital oil revenues toward military expansion, nuclear development, and support for proxy militias in the region, rather than investing in sustainable water and energy infrastructure. As a result, Iran now faces severe shortages at home despite vast oil and gas reserves.
A Growing Threat to Economy and Society
Projections indicate that next year, Iran’s water reserves will still be 25 percent lower than current levels, while dam output will fall by 23 percent. This will further constrain drinking water supplies, agricultural production, and even electricity generation.
Experts warn that without fundamental reforms in water policy, consumption regulation, and agricultural practices, the crisis risks becoming a long-term threat to Iran’s economy and social stability.
