Iran Experienced Over One Degree Temperature Increase in the Past 10 Months

Sadegh Ziaian, head of the National Drought and Crisis Management Center of the Meteorological Organization, stated that Iran has seen an increase of more than one degree Celsius in temperature over the past 10 months compared to long-term averages. He announced that during this period, temperatures exceeded fifty degrees Celsius in various parts of the country 111 times. In an interview with ISNA published on Saturday, August 6, he mentioned that from the beginning of October last year until the end of July this year, the country's temperature increased by 1.3 degrees compared to long-term averages, affecting all provinces of Iran. According to the report, the highest temperature increase was recorded in West Azerbaijan (2.2 degrees) and Zanjan (2 degrees), while Tehran experienced a 1.5-degree increase compared to long-term averages. The highest long-term temperature fluctuation was noted in Golestan and Alborz provinces, which saw increases of 3.7 degrees and 3.6 degrees, respectively, in July. Additionally, in the last month, Ahvaz recorded a temperature of 53 degrees, making it the hottest city in Iran. This meteorological official identified climate change and global warming as the primary factors for the rising temperatures in Iran, alongside factors such as the tendency of subtropical pressures to move to higher latitudes. The head of the National Drought Center also noted that over the past 10 months, the country received 164.7 millimeters of rainfall, while the long-term average for this period is 225 millimeters, indicating a current rainfall deficit of about 27%. On the other hand, the head of the Meteorological Organization of Iran warned about 'accumulated drought' in Iran, which could lead to food security issues and an increase in various diseases due to climate changes. Davood Parhizkar, head of the Meteorological Organization, told ILNA that since 2005, the drought index has been negative, and the country has faced 'accumulated drought' during this period. The report also indicated that the average number of sunny hours in Iran has increased by 11 hours per year, and the average wind speed in many areas has shown a decreasing trend despite severe fluctuations. Parhizkar attributed these environmental events to the consequences of global warming in Iran and warned of other potential outcomes, including heavy and sudden rainfall despite the overall decrease in average rainfall, increased storms, reduced agricultural and horticultural yields, food security issues, and various diseases affecting humans, livestock, and plants. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported about two weeks ago that droughts in the Middle East will worsen. Additionally, according to Reza Ardakaniyan, Minister of Energy, 2018 was the hardest year for water supply in Iran in the past fifty years, and this year 334 cities in Iran, with a population of 35 million, are facing water stress.