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News18
6 days ago
- Climate
- News18
52.8°C And Rising: Iran's Deadly Heatwave Sparks 'Irreversible' Water Crisis
Last Updated: Iran faces its hottest week with temperatures above 50°C as authorities urged water conservation and declared emergency holidays. Iranian authorities called on the public to curb water consumption as the country faced its hottest week of the year and a deepening water crisis. With temperatures soaring above 50°C in most parts of the country, officials declared emergency holidays, reduced water supplies in some regions and begun negotiations with neighbouring countries to import water. According to Iran's national meteorological service, the southwestern city of Shabankareh recorded a staggering temperature of 52.8°C- potentially the hottest temperature globally so far this year. Other cities, including Abadan and Ahwaz, also reported extreme highs, while the capital Tehran reached 41°C. The soaring temperatures come amid a prolonged five-year drought that has pushed Iran's water infrastructure to its limits. Hundreds of dams built since the 1950s have seen reduced output further straining water and electricity supplies. Abbas Aliabadi, Iran's minister of energy, said that the government is in talks with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to explore options for importing water. Power cuts have become increasingly frequent due to the heat and depleted water reservoirs needed for hydroelectric energy. Iran government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced a public holiday for Wednesday in Tehran province to help conserve power and water. A Tehran resident told The Guardian that the heat has become physically unbearable. He said, 'I feel the skin is going to burn. My shirt gets wet so quickly and I prefer to take a shower twice a day at this age amidst severe heat. Thank God, there is no water crisis where I live." Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the crisis during a cabinet meeting and issuing a stark warning. He said, as per state media, 'The water crisis is more serious than what is being discussed today and if we do not take urgent action now, we will face a situation in the future for which no remedy can be found. In the water sector, beyond management and planning, we also need to address excessive consumption." view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Iranians asked to limit water use as temperatures hit 50C
Iranian authorities have asked people to limit water consumption amid severe heatwaves and a water crisis across the country. Iran is experiencing its hottest week of the year, according to the national meteorological service, with temperatures exceeding 50C in some areas. On top of the extreme heat, the country is in a serious water crisis. Iran has been in drought for five years, with rainfall even lower this year. The minister of energy, Abbas Aliabadi, announced last week negotiations to import water were under way with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The country has hundreds of dams, built from the 1950s onwards, but the drought has significantly reduced their output. This, as well as problems with infrastructure and the heatwaves, has led to power cuts across the country. A spokesperson for the Iranian government, Fatemeh Mohajerani, announced over the weekend this Wednesday had been made a public holiday in the capital's region due to the enduring heatwaves. 'In light of the continued extreme heat and the necessity of conserving water and electricity, Wednesday … has been declared a holiday in Tehran province,' she wrote on X. Iranians drink water from a public street fountain amid soaring temperatures in Tehran. Hussain Hassan (name has been changed), in his late 50s, said it was so hot in Tehran and the sun was so fierce, he felt unable to walk in direct sunlight. He said: 'I feel the skin is going to burn. [My] shirt gets wet so quickly and I prefer to take shower twice a day at this age amidst severe heat. Thank God, there is no water crisis where I live.' He added in some parts of Tehran, authorities had reduced water supplies to manage the crisis. 'I have heard from people that cutting water supply has resulted in water outages lasting at least 12 hours and more,' he said. According to the climatologist Maximiliano Herrera, the southwestern Iranian city of Shabankareh recorded temperatures of 52.8C over the weekend, potentially the hottest temperature of the year so far (a reading of 53C in Kuwait has not been confirmed). Meteorologists at Metdesk in the UK reported a temperature reading of 51.6C in the southwestern border town of Abadan on July 17, and 50.3C was recorded in nearby Ahwaz on Monday. The city of Tehran reported 40C on Sunday, rising to 41C on Monday. For Hassan, the biggest worry is the brewing water crisis as the reservoirs are depleting, and the Karaj dam, which provides water to Tehran province, has hit its lowest level. Human-caused climate breakdown is making every heatwave in the world more intense and more likely to happen. Some, such as the extreme heatwave in western Canada and the US in 2021, would have been all but impossible without global heating. The Guardian
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
Iranians asked to limit water use as temperatures hit 50C and reservoirs are depleted
Iranian authorities have asked people to limit water consumption amid severe heatwaves and a water crisis across the country. Iran is experiencing its hottest week of the year, according to the national meteorological service, with temperatures exceeding 50C in some areas. On top of the extreme heat, the country is in a serious water crisis. Iran has been in drought for five years, with rainfall even lower this year. The minister of energy, Abbas Aliabadi, announced last week that negotiations to import water were under way with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The country has hundreds of dams, built from the 1950s onwards but the drought has significantly reduced their output. This, as well as problems with infrastructure and the heatwaves, has led to power cuts across the country. A spokesperson for the Iranian government, Fatemeh Mohajerani, announced over the weekend that this Wednesday had been made a public holiday in the capital's region due to the enduring heatwaves. 'In light of the continued extreme heat and the necessity of conserving water and electricity, Wednesday … has been declared a holiday in Tehran province,' she wrote on X. Hussain Hassan*, in his late 50s, said that it is so hot in Tehran and the sun is so fierce he feels unable to walk in direct sunlight. He said: 'I feel the skin is going to burn. [My] shirt gets wet so quickly and I prefer to take shower twice a day at this age amidst severe heat. Thank God, there is no water crisis where I live.' He added that in some parts of Tehran, authorities had reduced water supplies to manage the crisis. 'I have heard from people that cutting water supply has resulted in water outages lasting at least 12 hours and more,' he said. According to the climatologist Maximiliano Herrera, the southwestern Iranian city of Shabankareh recorded temperatures of 52.8C over the weekend, potentially the hottest temperature of the year so far (a reading of 53C in Kuwait has not been confirmed). Meteorologists at Metdesk in the UK reported a temperature reading of 51.6C in the southwestern border town of Abadan on 17 July, and 50.3C was recorded in nearby Ahwaz on Monday. The city of Tehran reported 40C on Sunday rising to 41C on Monday. Hassan said: 'It feels more than 45 degrees Celsius. It is so hot.' For Hassan, the biggest worry is the brewing water crisis as the reservoirs are depleting and the Karaj dam, which provides water to Tehran province, has hit its lowest level. Human-caused climate breakdown is making every heatwave in the world more intense and more likely to happen. Some, such as the extreme heatwave in western Canada and the US in 2021, would have been all but impossible without global heating. The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, issued a stark warning during a cabinet meeting on Sunday. 'The water crisis is more serious than what is being discussed today, and if we do not take urgent action now, we will face a situation in the future for which no remedy can be found,' Pezeshkian said, according to state media. 'In the water sector, beyond management and planning, we also need to address excessive consumption.' Hassan's words were echoed by others in Iran. Ehsan Ali*, 35, who lives in Mashhad, said people were very worried about power outages and that the hot weather had become unbearable. Ali said the water crisis had been exacerbated in his city by a dam built upstream by Afghanistan in the Herat province. The structure has been criticised by Iranians who believe it is choking off the water flow into Mashhad. 'We have nine-hour load-shedding daily as the temperature has soared across Iran including my home town,' Ali told the Guardian. 'The water crisis is one of the biggest issues. Our dams are becoming dry and water reservoirs are depleting so fast.' *Names have been changed.
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
Iranians asked to limit water use as temperatures hit 50C and reservoirs are depleted
Iranian authorities have asked people to limit water consumption amid severe heatwaves and a water crisis across the country. Iran is experiencing its hottest week of the year, according to the national meteorological service, with temperatures exceeding 50C in some areas. On top of the extreme heat, the country is in a serious water crisis. Iran has been in drought for five years, with rainfall even lower this year. The minister of energy, Abbas Aliabadi, announced last week that negotiations to import water were under way with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The country has hundreds of dams, built from the 1950s onwards but the drought has significantly reduced their output. This, as well as problems with infrastructure and the heatwaves, has led to power cuts across the country. A spokesperson for the Iranian government, Fatemeh Mohajerani, announced over the weekend that this Wednesday had been made a public holiday in the capital's region due to the enduring heatwaves. 'In light of the continued extreme heat and the necessity of conserving water and electricity, Wednesday … has been declared a holiday in Tehran province,' she wrote on X. Hussain Hassan*, in his late 50s, said that it is so hot in Tehran and the sun is so fierce he feels unable to walk in direct sunlight. He said: 'I feel the skin is going to burn. [My] shirt gets wet so quickly and I prefer to take shower twice a day at this age amidst severe heat. Thank God, there is no water crisis where I live.' He added that in some parts of Tehran, authorities had reduced water supplies to manage the crisis. 'I have heard from people that cutting water supply has resulted in water outages lasting at least 12 hours and more,' he said. According to the climatologist Maximiliano Herrera, the southwestern Iranian city of Shabankareh recorded temperatures of 52.8C over the weekend, potentially the hottest temperature of the year so far (a reading of 53C in Kuwait has not been confirmed). Meteorologists at Metdesk in the UK reported a temperature reading of 51.6C in the southwestern border town of Abadan on 17 July, and 50.3C was recorded in nearby Ahwaz on Monday. The city of Tehran reported 40C on Sunday rising to 41C on Monday. Hassan said: 'It feels more than 45 degrees Celsius. It is so hot.' For Hassan, the biggest worry is the brewing water crisis as the reservoirs are depleting and the Karaj dam, which provides water to Tehran province, has hit its lowest level. Human-caused climate breakdown is making every heatwave in the world more intense and more likely to happen. Some, such as the extreme heatwave in western Canada and the US in 2021, would have been all but impossible without global heating. The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, issued a stark warning during a cabinet meeting on Sunday. 'The water crisis is more serious than what is being discussed today, and if we do not take urgent action now, we will face a situation in the future for which no remedy can be found,' Pezeshkian said, according to state media. 'In the water sector, beyond management and planning, we also need to address excessive consumption.' Hassan's words were echoed by others in Iran. Ehsan Ali*, 35, who lives in Mashhad, said people were very worried about power outages and that the hot weather had become unbearable. Ali said the water crisis had been exacerbated in his city by a dam built upstream by Afghanistan in the Herat province. The structure has been criticised by Iranians who believe it is choking off the water flow into Mashhad. 'We have nine-hour load-shedding daily as the temperature has soared across Iran including my home town,' Ali told the Guardian. 'The water crisis is one of the biggest issues. Our dams are becoming dry and water reservoirs are depleting so fast.' *Names have been changed.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
BRICS+ Series: Iran's Solar Energy Takeoff
Iran is rapidly emerging as a renewable energy powerhouse, making bold strides in solar energy expansion that signal a transformative shift—not just for the country, but for the broader BRICS+ alliance. Iran is rapidly emerging as a renewable energy powerhouse, making bold strides in solar energy expansion that signal a transformative shift—not just for the country, but for the broader BRICS+ alliance. In the past Iranian year alone (ending March 2025), Iran added an impressive 600 megawatts (MW) of solar power to its national grid—four times the previous annual average. This surge represents a turning point for both Iran's energy policy and the global South's efforts to build energy resilience and independence. Government-Led Push with Private Sector Vision At the heart of this transformation is Iran's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organisation (SATBA), which has launched an ambitious roadmap to install 5,000 MW of renewable capacity. Speaking on state television, SATBA's deputy head, Alireza Parandeh Motlaq, explained that this push is aimed at addressing rising domestic electricity demands, particularly from households and industry. Although these solar plants are initially government-funded, the long-term plan is to hand them over to the private sector—ushering in a new era of green entrepreneurship. In a parallel move, private investors are showing keen interest, submitting proposals to develop a staggering 38,000 MW in renewable energy capacity. This level of engagement from Iran's private sector highlights a crucial shift: renewable energy is no longer just a state project—it's an economic opportunity. Smart Policies for a Greener Future The new energy policy also includes regulatory incentives that reward industrial players for installing on-site renewable sources. Facilities that generate part of their own electricity using solar or other green technologies are now exempt from mandatory power cuts. Households, too, are being brought into the energy revolution. With rooftop solar panels, families can sell surplus electricity back to the government for roughly $0.074 per kilowatt-hour—a smart solution for citizens and the state alike. Solar Expansion Across Provinces The momentum is visible on the ground. In a recent milestone, SATBA launched 297 MW of solar projects across five provinces—Golestan, Bushehr, Fars, East Azarbaijan, and Kish Island. The rollout is part of a broader plan to construct 3,000 MW of capacity through modular 3-MW plants spread across 856 sites nationwide. The initial phase, backed by a substantial $96 billion government investment, demonstrates Tehran's commitment to decentralising energy access while strengthening the national grid. Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi confirmed that a further 500 MW boost is underway under the administration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. He assured the public that all new solar installations are on track and will soon begin feeding into Iran's energy network. A Strategic Win for BRICS+ Cooperation This surge in renewable infrastructure is not just a domestic victory—it's a strategic one for BRICS+. Iran's expanding green energy sector dovetails with the bloc's broader agenda to reduce dependence on Western-dominated energy markets and diversify sources of power across the Global South. With climate change intensifying and energy security becoming a critical concern, Iran's success could serve as a blueprint for other BRICS+ nations seeking sustainable growth without sacrificing sovereignty. Iran's renewable transformation opens new corridors for intra-bloc trade and technological cooperation. With international sanctions limiting Iran's access to Western markets, collaboration with fellow BRICS+ members—especially China, Russia, and India—offers vital alternatives for importing components, financing projects, and sharing innovation. Iran's pivot to solar power is more than just a domestic policy shift—it is a diplomatic and economic statement. For BRICS+, it's a beacon of what's possible when emerging economies take charge of their energy futures. As the sun shines brighter over Iran's solar fields, the Global South gains a powerful new symbol of self-reliance and shared progress. Written by: *Dr Iqbal Survé Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN *Chloe Maluleke Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group Russian & Middle Eastern Specialist **The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL. ** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE ** Follow @brics_daily on Twitter for daily BRICS+ updates and instagram @brics_daily
