Because of the heat wave … an unprecedented crisis in water and electricity supply in Iran

The severe heat wave in Iran caused the interruption of water and electricity supplies in most parts of the country, after the water level in dams decreased to its lowest levels in a century, according to official media on Tuesday.

It is expected that the very high temperatures that have started to be registered since Friday will be decreased by Thursday, according to the official television from the Meteorological Authority.

Tames were issued to close government offices on at least 15 Iranian governorates, including the capital, Tehran, on Wednesday in an effort to legalize water and electricity.

The step comes as the heat exceeded in parts of southwestern Iran, 50 degrees Celsius.

Water shortage at the “danger” level

Government spokeswoman Fatima Muhajrani said that the authorities will extend the closure of the offices “if it is obligated”, warning that the water shortage has reached a “dangerous” level in Tehran.

The capitals of at least 10 governorates recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, including Tehran, according to the Meteorological Authority.

The heat wave hit the country after drought, as the capital witnessed the lowest rainfall in 60 years, according to the water supply company in Tehran.

The company said that the water levels in the tanks that provide Tehran have declined to “its lowest level in a century”, calling on the population to use tanks and pumps to deal with supply disorder from the source.

Drought for the fifth year

The governor of Tehran, Mohamed Sadiq, said that the percentage of water in dams does not exceed 14%, adding that the capital suffers drought for the fifth year.

Several residents have reported that water interruption has continued for hours in the past days.

Iranian President Masoud Bouchakian warned on Sunday that “the water crisis is more dangerous than people are talking about.”

Several Iranian newspapers published pictures on its first pages on Tuesday for low water settlements in dam tanks.

Drinking water in plastic bags

In Ahvaz, the capital of Khuzestan Governorate (southwest), which is the most free in the country, the residents complained of power outages with heat to 50 degrees Celsius.

As for Tehran, drivers were forced to stop to protect the cooling devices in their cars, with a temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

The Fars News Agency stated that the water company in Tehran intends to distribute drinking water in plastic bags if the supplies continue to be cut off from the main source.

Although the heat waves are not alien to Iran, the government ordered the closure of banks and other public institutions in July last year due to the high temperatures.

Then officials reported that the electricity consumption reached a record extent exceeding 79,000 megawatts.