By Abbas Nazil
Iran is grappling with a worsening water and electricity crisis that is spreading nationwide and fueling public anger as a severe summer heatwave intensifies existing infrastructure and resource challenges.
The latest wave of blackouts and water shortages has disrupted millions of lives across both urban and rural regions, with growing signs of social unrest.
On July 26, reports from Iran’s state-controlled media confirmed that large areas of the country experienced power outages and water cuts, which ignited spontaneous protests, particularly in industrial zones.
In the cities of Khorramdasht and Siahsang, demonstrators—including factory workers and business owners—voiced outrage over prolonged electricity cuts that have halted production and economic activity.
Videos circulating on social media platforms showed protest gatherings, which were quickly broken up by security forces, underlining the regime’s growing concern about nationwide frustration.
The water situation is equally critical.
One of Tehran’s main water sources, Karaj Dam, has experienced an alarming decline in reserves, plummeting from 160 million to just 62 million cubic meters compared to the same period last year.
The dam’s water level has dropped 46 meters below the normal mark, setting a record low since its establishment in 1961.
Officials warn that, if current trends continue, the dam’s remaining water may not last until October.
Tehran’s governor, Mohammad Sadegh Motamediyan, revealed that underground sources now provide 62 percent of the capital’s water, a major shift from a decade ago when surface water was the primary supply.
Rainfall has also sharply declined—32 percent compared to last year, and 43 percent below the long-term average—pushing dam fill rates to a mere 13 percent.
Experts blame years of mismanagement, neglect of early warning signs, and inefficient policies for the escalating crisis.
They warn that Tehran and other cities could soon face widespread water rationing and service collapses unless urgent reforms are enacted.
Electricity woes compound the crisis, with power cuts lasting up to 11 hours in some regions, further disrupting water distribution systems and daily life.
Parliamentary figures are calling for immediate consumption reductions, including a proposed 20 percent cut in water use, though long-term solutions remain elusive.
While the Iranian parliament plans to summon energy officials for accountability, many analysts doubt the regime’s capacity to enact meaningful reforms.
Critics argue that the crisis is the direct result of systemic corruption, poor governance, and indifference to public welfare.
As Iran pushes through the height of summer, the dual burden of water and power scarcity has left citizens exhausted and angry, with the regime facing one of its most intense periods of domestic pressure in recent years.
