The 'Chehcheh' Dam in Khorasan Razavi Has Dried Up

The head of the Water Resources Department in Kalat County, Khorasan Razavi, reported the drying up of the 'Chehcheh' dam in the early days of winter. The state news agency 'IRNA' quoted Fatemeh Rezaei stating that only one percent of the 19 million cubic meter reservoir of this dam contains water. This official attributed the drying of the dam to a severe decrease in rainfall. The northeastern region of the country and the three provinces of Khorasan are among the areas facing severe drought and water crisis. In this context, the news agency 'Tasnim' also reported on December 5 that the reservoir of the 'Karde' dam in Mashhad is nearly depleted, and images shared by citizens of the dry and barren lands behind this dam are described as 'horrifying and concerning.' The news agency also quoted Mohsen Davari, the governor of Mashhad, stating that due to the water situation in Mashhad and the lack of rainfall since last year, a 'command center' has been established in the governor's office to monitor the existing water conditions weekly and to plan to prevent any potential crisis. The drought crisis in Iran has become a challenge for all provinces, with various cities experiencing this crisis at different rates. Official reports indicate a 50 percent decrease in rainfall across four provinces in Iran, with Zanjan Province recording the highest reduction in rainfall this year. The website 'Tejarat News' reported on December 15 that reports from Iran's Water Resources Management indicate that rainfall in Iran has reached 34 millimeters from the beginning of the current water year until December 9, reflecting a 27 percent decrease. Despite warnings about the 'water shortage' crisis in Iran, President Raisi claimed that there is no water shortage. Wetlands in Fars Province are heading towards gradual death, and the situation of water scarcity, land subsidence, and the risk of the Caspian Sea's destruction are dire under Ibrahim Raisi's administration. Water tensions are increasing in northern and eastern Iran, with 22 provinces facing reduced rainfall. The drying of Lake Urmia poses an environmental disaster and health crisis, putting 6 to 15 million people at risk.