Iran on the brink of disaster: Reservoirs emptying and land sinking
According to Israel's Channel 14, Iran is facing a severe water crisis that threatens the drinking water supply for millions, particularly in Tehran. Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian warned that despite recent rainfall, about 80% of the capacity of the five main dams supplying the capital remains empty. This situation is the result of six consecutive years of drought, over-extraction of groundwater, and inefficient water management. Data from the Tehran Water and Wastewater Company shows that the Lar Dam is at only 3% capacity and the Amir Kabir Dam at 18%. Beyond water shortages, land subsidence is spreading; in parts of Kerman province, the ground is sinking by 30-40 cm annually, with approximately 39 million people across the country at risk. President Masoud Pezeshkian has previously warned of potential water rationing and even the possibility of evacuating residents from Tehran. Meanwhile, Lake Urmia has seen a drastic reduction in surface area, and over 27,000 villages across Iran are struggling with water shortages.