Iran Water Resources Management Company: Half of Dam Capacity is Empty

Reza Raei, the director general of the Water Resources Studies Office at the Iran Water Resources Management Company, stated on April 15 that while more than 200 days have passed in the current water year and summer is still approaching, 50% of the capacity of dams supplying drinking, industrial, and agricultural water in Iran is empty. This company, affiliated with the Iranian Ministry of Energy, estimates the average rainfall in Iran to be 240 millimeters. According to the IRNA news agency, Raei reported that so far, 170 millimeters of rain has fallen, which is 70 millimeters less than the average. The 30% shortfall in rainfall compared to the average is noted on the 205th day of the water year, while summer has not yet arrived. The official indicated that among the six rainfall basins in Iran, three are experiencing a decrease in rainfall. The water-scarce basins include the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea region, the Central East basin, and the Central Plateau basin of Iran. Nevertheless, Raei mentioned that considering all six basins, the average rainfall compared to last year has decreased by 12% and in the long term, by 1%. The average water inflow to the dams has also decreased by nearly 20% compared to the same period last year. These latest warnings about water shortages in Iran come after the Iranian Ministry of Energy announced that according to the water resource monitoring index for the water year 1393-94 (2014-2015), none of the 31 provinces of the country fall into the 'wet', 'normal', or even 'tolerable' categories. The director general of the Water Resources Studies Office at the Iran Water Resources Management Company also added that the recent rains are 'merely a band-aid' and that the reduction in reservoir volumes exceeds the amount of rain that has fallen. In total, 159 dams in Iran supply drinking, agricultural, industrial water, water needed for electricity generation, and also prevent flooding.