President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that the Tehran water crisis could soon force authorities to consider evacuation if drought conditions persist. He delivered the warning during a visit to western Iran, highlighting that the capital’s water reserves have dropped to record lows after years of reduced rainfall.
The president emphasized that if rain does not arrive soon, water restrictions in Tehran will begin next month. He described the situation as “alarming” and urged immediate conservation and management efforts to prevent a total depletion of reserves. Pezeshkian also linked the worsening conditions to broader economic pressures intensified by international sanctions and poor infrastructure investment.
Tehran relies on five main dams, including the Amir Kabir Dam, to meet its water needs. However, reservoir levels have fallen sharply following five consecutive years of low rainfall. Meteorological data show that precipitation this year is about 40 percent below average. Officials warn that both surface and groundwater supplies are now critically low.
Water authorities reported that storage levels in July were the lowest in a century. The Tehran Water Authority recently announced that current reserves may last only two weeks if dry weather continues. Limited water cuts already began over the summer to manage shortages in high-demand districts.
President Pezeshkian urged ministries and local authorities to adopt emergency plans to stabilize supply and prevent a humanitarian crisis. He called for increased investment in desalination, wastewater recycling, and modernization of water distribution networks. The Tehran water crisis has become a national concern as millions rely on an aging system struggling to meet urban demand.
Environmental experts warn that continued inaction could have serious economic and social consequences. They note that reduced water availability may disrupt industrial operations, agriculture, and household consumption. Meanwhile, urban planners fear migration pressures if the capital becomes unsustainable.
The government is now assessing contingency measures, including controlled rationing and stricter consumption limits. Despite the urgency, recovery will depend on rainfall and coordinated policy reforms. As the Tehran water crisis worsens, Pezeshkian’s warning serves as a call to confront one of Iran’s most pressing environmental challenges before it escalates further.