Iran faces a deepening water crisis as authorities halt electricity generation at the Kerkheh Dam. The decision marks a major setback for a country that increasingly struggles with drought and shrinking water resources. Officials highlight the water crisis as a central factor in the suspension, and they warn that conditions may worsen in the coming months.
Senior energy managers say the Kerkheh Dam can no longer support power production because its water level has dropped sharply. Dam director Amir Mahmoudi says engineers removed the power units from operation after reservoir levels fell far below the safe threshold. He notes that the reservoir now holds about one billion cubic meters of water. He adds that the current height of 180 meters stands almost 40 meters below the level needed for electricity generation.
Mahmoudi explains that the government now diverts water from the dam to meet urgent needs in downstream communities. He stresses that drinking water and agricultural demand take priority during the ongoing water crisis. Local officials warn that households and farms depend heavily on steady water flows from the Kerkheh River.
The Kerkheh Dam ranks among the largest earth-fill dams in Iran and the wider Middle East. Engineers built it on the Kerkheh River about 22 kilometers northwest of Andimeshk in Khuzestan Province. The facility normally plays a key role in regional power generation, flood control, and irrigation supply. Its shutdown highlights the growing pressure on Iran’s infrastructure as drought intensifies.
Meteorological reports show a dramatic drop in rainfall across Iran this year. State media note that precipitation has declined by nearly 90 percent compared with long-term averages. This reduction has accelerated the drying of major reservoirs and rivers. Several cities have also performed rain prayers in recent weeks, underscoring public concern about worsening conditions.
Iran’s government has tried various methods to stimulate rainfall. Officials recently deployed aircraft to seed clouds, although results remain uncertain. Environmental experts warn that climate change now compounds Iran’s long-standing water management challenges. They say rising temperatures will deepen the water crisis and increase stress on agriculture, industry, and power systems.
Energy planners predict that more facilities may face operational limits if current trends continue. They urge rapid investment in conservation programs and modern irrigation. They also call for new strategies that improve groundwater protection. Regional authorities now prepare for a difficult winter as reservoir levels remain critically low.
Iran’s environmental agencies plan further assessments over the next few weeks. They expect to introduce new response measures if the drought persists. Many analysts argue that the country must rethink its long-term water strategy. They say sustained reforms will determine how well Iran withstands the next stages of the water crisis.