Tehran, July 21, (V7N) – Iran is grappling with a worsening water crisis as a blistering heatwave grips the nation, with temperatures soaring above 50°C (122°F) in some southern regions, according to the Iranian Meteorological Department.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced on Sunday that Tehran Province will observe a public holiday on Wednesday, July 23, in response to the extreme heat and the urgent need to conserve electricity and water.

In the capital Tehran, temperatures hit 40°C on Sunday and are forecast to climb to 41°C on Monday. The situation is even more dire in the southern arid provinces, where long-standing water shortages—aggravated by climate change, overuse of groundwater, and decades of mismanagement—have now reached critical levels.

Mahdi Chamran, Chairman of the Tehran City Council, urged residents to curb water usage, while the city’s water management agency warned that reservoirs feeding Tehran’s water supply are at their lowest levels in a century.

Amid rising concern, authorities are asking for at least a 20% reduction in water consumption. The conservative daily Javan reported that water supply has already been suspended for 12 to 18 hours daily in some neighborhoods to cope with the shortfall.

Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi expressed regret over the disruptions, saying the tough decisions were made “in the interest of resource management.”

The crisis has sparked national alarm and international attention, with experts warning that without immediate action, Iran could face a humanitarian emergency.

Source: Al Jazeera

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