As Iranians scrubbed their homes and hosed their gardens ahead of Persian New Year celebrations, they were told to slash their water use if the country was to avoid total "water bankruptcy". Water levels in dams around the capital have plunged and water rationing and power cuts are forecast for the summer as the rain-starved country wilts under a severe drought.
Lakes are disappearing, farmers are struggling and huge sinkholes have appeared in cities as water tables decline. Students worry about washing, kitchen taps run dry and showers are deemed a luxury.The managing director of Tehran's Water and Sewage Department said last week that reserves in key dams supplying nearly all the city's drinking water have dropped to their lowest levels on record, just 5% of capacity.
Ahead of New Year festivities starting on March 20, Mohsen Ardakani urged residents to cut water usage by at least 20%. "This is no longer a choice or an option - it's a necessity to help get us through the difficult times," he said.
Local media have broadcast images of a near-empty Amir Kabir dam (6% full) and the Latian dam (10% full) in the Alborz mountains north of Tehran. Rainfall in the capital is down 17% from last year, and stands 42% below the long-term average.
"They are saying on TV that there may not be any water left for us tomorrow - I go to bed every night worrying about what this situation is doing to the mental and physical health of my loved ones," said a 43-year-old clothing designer from Tehran, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of official reprisal. More of this article (ynetnews) - link - more like this (Iran) - link
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