Iran's president warns Tehran may face evacuation over water crisis

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has delivered a grave assessment of Tehran's escalating water emergency, stating the capital may need to be evacuated if precipitation fails to materialize in the coming weeks. During a speech in Sanandaj, the president outlined a dire timeline that would begin with water rationing next month and could culminate in the unprecedented step of emptying the metropolis of its approximately 9 million residents.

A Deepening National Crisis

President Pezeshkian linked the environmental catastrophe to broader economic troubles, acknowledging that high prices and inflation stem from both domestic policy errors and international sanctions. "High prices and inflation are the fault of the parliament and the government," he stated, noting that limited financial resources have left many projects incomplete. The water shortage, however, represents an immediate existential threat that transcends economic challenges.

Reservoirs at Historic Lows

The crisis stems from a five-year drought that has dramatically reduced rainfall across Iran, with precipitation in Tehran falling about 40% below seasonal norms this year. The five major dams supplying the capital, including the critical Amir Kabir Dam, have reached their lowest storage levels in a century. Tehran Province Water Authority had previously warned in July that reservoir levels had hit hundred-year lows, leading to intermittent cuts throughout the summer.

Imminent Water Exhaustion

Officials have indicated that time is running out to avert disaster. Behzad Parsa, Managing Director of Tehran Water Authority, warned on November 3 that dam reserves could only sustain the city for approximately two more weeks. President Pezeshkian emphasized the urgent need for conservation and better resource management, stating plainly that without rain, "we will have no water left and will be forced to evacuate Tehran," marking one of the most severe warnings ever issued by a national leader about a capital city's viability.