For the first time in months, rain has fallen over Iran’s capital, Tehran, offering a temporary reprieve amidst a severe drought. This marks the driest autumn in over half a century, a situation so severe that President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned the government might have to relocate if conditions don’t improve soon.
Meteorologists have declared this autumn the driest in more than 50 years, with inadequate rainfall endangering agriculture, a sector consuming 90% of the nation’s water resources. According to Ahad Vazifeh from Iran’s Meteorological Organization, precipitation levels have plummeted to just 5% of the norm, with expectations of a 20% water shortage even if winter and spring rains are average.
The crisis has been exacerbated by inefficient water use, attributed to longstanding agricultural policies established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. A new report by World Weather Attribution highlights that climate change and unsustainable practices have led to chronic water stress, pressing officials to address the crisis as it threatens regional stability and global food markets.
(With inputs from agencies.)