Iran's Energy Minister described this year as the hardest in terms of water supply in the country over the past fifty years, warning that 334 cities with a population of 35 million are facing water stress this year. Reza Ardakanian presented statistics on the country's water conditions on Saturday, April 20, stating that nearly half of Iran's population is facing a difficult year. He categorized the cities under water stress into three groups: 165 cities with a population of 10.5 million in a yellow status, 62 cities with a population of 6.8 million in an orange status, and 107 cities with a population of 17.2 million in a red status. According to him, Iran has entered long drought cycles over the past 50 years, with the ten-year average rainfall dropping from 250 to 217 millimeters, making this year the hardest in this regard. Various international and national organizations and figures report that water scarcity in Iran is one of the country's most significant challenges. For instance, Gary Lewis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Iran, has identified water scarcity as the primary human security challenge in the country. Regions like Isfahan and Sistan and Baluchestan are experiencing more severe conditions, with one parliamentary representative warning that water shortages in Sistan and Baluchestan threaten national security. Reports indicate that five million people in Isfahan will no longer have access to drinking water starting from August. Meanwhile, the Iranian Energy Minister emphasizes 'reforming water consumption methods' as a solution to overcome these conditions, stating that this is more important than finding new water sources. In a meeting titled 'Adaptation to Water Scarcity' attended by Iranian governors, Ardakanian said, 'Whenever drought is mentioned, our minds turn to securing new resources; because reforming existing consumption methods is harder.' He further noted that decreased rainfall is just one example of the problems in the country's water sector and that other issues should not be hidden behind the problem of low rainfall. The Iranian Energy Minister had previously emphasized that if the water consumption pattern in the country is not reformed, we will face limitations such as 'power cuts, water rationing, and similar issues.'
Iran's Energy Minister: 334 Cities with 35 Million People Face Water Stress
Iran's Energy Minister has warned that 334 cities, home to 35 million people, are facing severe water stress this year, marking the toughest water supply year in the last fifty years. The situation is exacerbated by long-term drought cycles and inadequate water management, posing significant challenges for national security and public health.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iran's Energy Minister announced that 334 cities, home to 35 million people, are facing severe water stress this year, marking the most challenging year for water supply in five decades. The situation is attributed to long-term drought cycles and poor water management practices.
- Nearly half of Iran's population is experiencing water stress.
- Regions like Isfahan and Sistan and Baluchestan are facing the most severe conditions.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has been experiencing prolonged drought cycles, with average rainfall decreasing significantly over the past fifty years, exacerbating water scarcity issues.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%