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Tehran Nears ‘Day Zero’
Experts warn that Tehran, Iran’s capital, may face “day zero” within weeks, when taps could run dry for much of the city due to a severe water crisis. Reservoirs are shrinking, officials are urging reduced consumption, and residents are struggling to conserve every drop.
Calls for Immediate Action
President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized at a cabinet meeting the urgency of decisive action. Without swift measures, he warned, Iran could face a situation that may prove unsolvable in the future.
A Perennially Arid Nation
Water scarcity is a constant challenge for Iran, but what makes this crisis unique is that it’s now striking the capital. Kaveh Madani, director at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, noted the capital is especially vulnerable.
Threat to a Major Metropolis
With a population of about 10 million, Tehran could run out of water entirely if usage isn’t curbed. Madani highlighted that “day zero” could arrive in a matter of weeks, a prospect the city has never before faced.
Decades of Mismanagement
Experts trace the crisis to years of inadequate water management and a growing imbalance between supply and demand, a situation exacerbated by the nation’s ongoing challenges.
Drought and Extreme Heat
Iran is grappling with its fifth consecutive year of drought amid record-breaking temperatures, some exceeding 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Climatologist Maximiliano Herrera told CNN the country seems trapped in a cycle of extreme heat.
Water Pressure Falls
To cope, Tehran’s authorities have nearly halved water pressure, affecting 80% of households, according to provincial governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian. For residents in high-rise buildings, this often means no water at all.
Rationing and Workarounds
Water is now being trucked into Tehran, and those who can afford it are installing storage tanks. Madani observed that this level of emergency is unprecedented for the capital.
Unusual Public Holidays
Last week, the government declared a one-day holiday in Tehran and other provinces to conserve water and electricity. Now, a weeklong holiday is being considered to encourage people to temporarily leave the city and reduce water usage.
Water Bankruptcy Looms
Experts, including Amir AghaKouchak from UC Irvine, blame human activities such as excessive groundwater pumping and inefficient agriculture. These actions have led to what he calls “water bankruptcy,” a state where some damage cannot be undone.
Long-Term Imbalances and Political Barriers
Decades of over-extracting aquifers have caused some areas of Tehran to sink by more than 10 inches per year. AghaKouchak warns the city faces a systemic imbalance threatening its water security, and Madani stresses that only major reforms—unlikely under current conditions—can address the root causes.
Hoping for Rain
With nearly all of Iran’s provinces under water stress and the government scrambling for solutions, experts say only structural change and rainfall this autumn can help. “If Tehran survives until the end of September, there is hope for avoiding day zero,” Madani concluded.
