Iran’s Kurdistan province warns of dangerously low dam water levels

Iran’s Kurdistan province warns of dangerously low dam water levels

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Authorities in Iran’s western Kurdistan province have issued a warning about critically low water levels in local dams as the country continues to face one of its most severe droughts in decades.

Arash Arianzhad, director general of the province’s Regional Water Company, told state media that current reservoir levels have dropped sharply. “Only 38 percent of the province’s dam storage is filled, reflecting a 25 percent decrease compared to this time last year,” he said, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Autumn rains fail to improve conditions

Iran’s autumn rainy season has so far brought little relief. Arianzhad noted that meteorological forecasts show this season will fall below normal expectations, signaling worsening conditions for already water-stressed regions.

The broader drought crisis has raised alarm at the highest levels of government, prompting stern warnings from President Masoud Pezeshkian about the potential consequences if rainfall continues to decline.

President warns of possible water rationing and extreme measures

During a visit to Sanandaj earlier this month, President Pezeshkian cautioned that Tehran could face water rationing as early as next month if precipitation remains insufficient. He warned that continued drought could lead to severe shortages, even raising the possibility that the capital might need to be evacuated.

Tehran, home to nearly 10 million people, consumes around three million cubic meters of water daily. Pezeshkian’s remarks triggered significant debate across Iranian media and public forums about the feasibility of such drastic actions.

Addressing the controversy on Thursday, the president reiterated that decisions driven by water scarcity are not optional. “Some issues are not a matter of choice,” he said. “Limited resources and environmental pressures force us into difficult decisions.”

Population growth in dry regions under scrutiny

Pezeshkian also questioned the long-standing trend of expanding population centers in water-stressed areas. He emphasized that without a permanent solution to water shortages, further development in these regions is unwise and unsustainable.

Overview of dam operations in Kurdistan province

According to IRNA, Kurdistan province has 18 operational dams. Twelve are managed locally, while the remaining six are overseen by neighboring provinces such as West Azerbaijan and Kermanshah. The low water levels across these reservoirs underscore the growing severity of Iran’s nationwide drought.