The Guardian - Iranians asked to limit water use as temperatures hit 50C and reservoirs are depleted
“The water crisis is more serious than what is being discussed today, and if we do not take urgent action now, we will face a situation in the future for which no remedy can be found, In the water sector, beyond management and planning, we also need to address excessive consumption.”
Click here to read the article on The Guardian.
This recent article from The Guardian highlights how extreme heat and prolonged drought are straining water systems across Iran, with temperatures soaring above 50°C in several regions. In Tehran, the government has declared a public holiday to reduce strain on infrastructure and conserve water and electricity, while water supply restrictions have been reported in parts of the city.
Iran’s water challenges are being driven by multiple, compounding pressures — including a five-year drought, dwindling rainfall, aging infrastructure, and high seasonal demand. Despite having built hundreds of dams since the 1950s, the country's reservoirs are reaching critically low levels. The Karaj Dam, a key source for Tehran province, has dropped to its lowest recorded volume. Discussions are now underway with neighboring countries to explore options for water imports.
For residents in areas already facing reduced water availability, daily life has become increasingly difficult. Reports of 12-hour water outages and rising concern over electricity rationing reflect the scale of the challenge. Meanwhile, high temperatures are intensifying demand and accelerating reservoir depletion, underscoring the urgency of improved planning and conservation measures.
Iran’s water crisis serves as a broader warning of how climate extremes — when coupled with population pressures and infrastructure limitations — can quickly overwhelm urban water systems. It reinforces the global need for forward-looking water management strategies and climate adaptation tools.
Initiatives like the Canada1Water project (C1W) demonstrate the role national-scale hydrologic models can play in preparing for such challenges. By integrating groundwater, surface water, and climate projections, C1W helps researchers, planners, and policymakers develop more resilient strategies for managing water under uncertainty — a model that is increasingly relevant worldwide as extreme events become more frequent and severe.