A heat wave and water shortages are paralyzing public life in Iran. Authorities call it an extreme drought, but climate experts say their warnings have been ignored for years.
Iran's heatwave comes as the country grapples with severe water shortagesImage: Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/IMAGO
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Authorities in Iran ordered many government offices and public institutions in 16 of Iran's 31 provinces, including Tehran, to remain closed on Wednesday in an attempt to cut power consumption amid an extreme heat wave that has been ongoing since mid-July.
The extreme weather is expected to continue for at least five more days in many parts of the country, according to the meteorological agency, with temperatures forecast to hit 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in some areas.
The heat wave has been accompanied by drought, with the capital, Tehran, experiencing its lowest rainfall in 60 years, severely impacting the city's water resources, according to the Tehran Provincial Water and Sewage Corporation.
Water pressure in Tehran's pipeline network has been reduced to counteract the falling water levels in the city's reservoirs.
"All rivers and water sources within a 100-kilometer radius of Tehran have been depleted," according to Nasser Karami, who researches sustainable development, climate change and water management.
"Tehran is not a place where authorities can simply resort to another source when water is scarce," the Norway-based researcher told DW.
Mismanagement of resources
Tehran city, which is home to more than 9 million people, is located on the northern edge of the central Iranian desert zone. Water scarcity has been a central issue for the city administration since at least 1969.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that dams supplying the capital could run dry within months unless water consumption was curbedImage: Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/IMAGO
Building code violations, resource mismanagement and over-consumption have impacted the capital's drinking water resources, which are only adequate for a limited number of people.
Experts have been warning for decades that Iran — whose population tripled from 28 million in 1969 to 92 million in 2025 — does not have sufficient resources to support its growing number of inhabitants, expanding agriculture needs, or the high water consumption of its industry and households.
"Nature has paid the price for this policy," said environmental expert Mansour Sohrabi, who has been based in Germany since 2015. "Water shortages, heat waves in cities that have hardly any trees left, sandstorms, and particulate matter pollution are the result of these misguided developments."
In recent weeks, water has been turned off for up to 48 hours in several Iranian cities. Electricity is also in short supply. The use of air conditioning puts additional strain on the already unstable power grids. With temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius, power outages lasting hours are a regular occurrence, which is an almost unbearable burden for many people.
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Frustrated experts
"We have been warning the authorities in Iran about this situation for 30 years," said climate researcher Karami. "It was clear that the uncontrolled development of large urban metropolises would lead to precisely this point.
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"All of this was predicted," Karami emphasized, adding that the government knew about it, but did nothing. "And that is how the current situation came about."
"The isolated measures currently being taken are not enough to address the crisis," warned Sheena Ansari, head of an environmental protection organization in Iran.
Years of neglecting sustainable development have led to the country now facing numerous environmental problems. No concrete plans to address the crisis have been announced.
According to recent statements by climate experts in Iran, 80% of the country's reservoirs are nearly empty. Normal water supplies will not be restored for at least two months, when seasonal rainfall will help ease the situation.
Experts who have offered concrete solutions have long been frustrated, one of which is Mohammad Darvish. He has spent decades researching deserts and advocating for the development of sustainable water sources during the rainy season.
"One of the most effective ways to save water is to channel surface water into underground layers — especially those containing coarse sediments," Darvish told German public broadcaster ARD.
In such layers, the water can easily seep into the ground and be stored underground, preventing it from being lost through evaporation, Darvish explained.
"It can serve as a long-term reservoir and provide a sustainable water source for years to come."
Historic heat wave hits Europe
Scorching days, sticky nights: Europe is suffering in an unusually early and intense heat wave. The peak of the heat is expected in Germany on Wednesday. France and Spain have reported their first heat-related deaths.
Image: Michaela Stache/REUTERS
Deadly temperatures
An early heat wave has had Europe firmly in its grip for days, and it's claiming lives: in France and Spain, at least seven people have died as a result of the high temperatures, according to the authorities. It's likely to be several months before a comprehensive tally of heat-related deaths is available. Very high temperatures are particularly dangerous for older people and small children.
Image: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
Record-breaking heat
Like colorful mushrooms, parasols dot the beach of Almada on Portugal's Costa da Caparica. Both Portugal and Spain set new temperature records for June of over 46 degrees Celsius (114 Fahrenheit). At night, temperatures on the Iberian Peninsula did not fall below 30 degrees in some places, making it almost impossible to get a good night's sleep without air conditioning.
Image: CARLOS COSTA/AFP/Getty Images
Just dive in
The hottest day of the year is expected in Germany on Wednesday. Extreme heat warnings are in force in many regions, with temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius expected in Frankfurt am Main. In many places, the only thing that helps is a dip in the cool water, like at this swimming pool in the Swabian Alb.
Image: Thomas Warnack/dpa/picture alliance
Blazing heat
The blazing sun rises over Paris on Tuesday. France has declared the highest heat warning level for the capital for the first time in five years, with temperatures of up to 41 degrees Celsius expected. Due to the heat, the upper floors of the Eiffel Tower, probably the city's most famous landmark, will remain closed to visitors until Wednesday.
Image: Thibaud Moritz/AFP/dpa/picture alliance
Parasol protection
In Venice, tourists have been forced to seek shelter under parasols during gondola rides. The Italian Health Ministry has declared the highest heat warning level in several regions, and a highway in Veneto had to be closed after it became deformed due to the heat. The German Foreign Office is currently warning against traveling to Italy due to the heat wave.
Image: ANDREA PATTARO/AFP/Getty Images
Splash!
Taking a plunge in Munich helps make the long, hot days just about bearable. The high temperatures are a health risk: according to Germany's Federal Statistical Office, around 1,400 people in Germany have been treated in hospitals every year in the last decade for health problems caused by sun exposure or heat; an average of 22 people have died each year.
Image: Peter Kneffel/dpa/picture alliance
Climate change fuels heat waves
The animal and plant world is also suffering. Germany has already been in drought for months, and the high temperatures are causing additional drought stress in nature. According to researchers, the number and intensity of heat waves is continuing to increase due to human-caused climate change, which is especially bad in Europe.
Image: Bernd Weißbrod/dpa/picture alliance
Early exercise
This jogger took advantage of the cooler morning temperatures to get out for a run early Monday morning in Berlin. Later in the day, sport is not advisable in view of the high temperatures, especially outdoors. Even without exertion, heat stress can be dangerous for the body. In addition to sun protection, it's recommended to drink plenty of fluids and seek out cool places.
Image: Christoph Soeder/dpa/picture alliance
Fun in the fountain
Temperature records were broken not only on land, but also in the Mediterranean Sea. Off the Balearic Islands, the water was up to 26 degrees Celsius — temperatures normally not recorded until August. In Greece, where this girl took a moment to cool off in an Athens fountain, strong winds have now made the heat somewhat bearable, but the risk of forest fires has risen to the highest level.
Image: Stelios Misinas/REUTERS
'This is unprecedented'
Elsewhere, fires have already broken out. In the Turkish province of Izmir, 1,000 firefighters are trying to contain a forest blaze. In Spain, two people died in a bush fire. Fires have also destroyed 400 hectares of land in France, where heat warnings were in force in 84 of 95 departments on Monday. "This is unprecedented," Agnes Pannier-Runacher, France's ecology transition minister, told AFP.
Image: Mehmet Emin Menguarslan/Anadolu/picture alliance
Relief in the forecast
A dog and its owner managed to cool off in the Danube River. An end to the heat is in sight in Western Europe, with thunderstorms expected in France and Germany late Wednesday and Thursday. After that, the heat should ease noticeably, with temperatures below 30 degrees expected. Spain and Italy, on the other hand, may have to wait until the weekend for a slight drop in temperatures.
Image: Thomas Warnack/dpa/picture alliance
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'There won't be any water'
Last week, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian warned against excessive water consumption which he said could leave the capital facing severe shortages by September, according to Tasnim news agency reported.
Iran is facing recurring electricity, gas and water shortages during peak demand months, coupled with over-consumption,
"In Tehran, if we cannot manage and people do not cooperate in controlling consumption, there won't be any water in dams by September or October," Pezeshkian warned.
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