Tehran and Mashhad Citizens Endure Surprise Water Cuts

Residents in several areas of Tehran and Mashhad are facing severe hardships due to prolonged water cuts, local media reported.

On Sunday, June 11, Entekhab news website reported that at least five areas in Tehran, including Sattar Khan, Shahrara, and Qolhak, endured extended periods without water.

Similarly, citizens in the northeastern city of Mashhad endured more than 12 hours without piped water. 

The water cuts were implemented without prior warning to residents or communication with relevant authorities. As a consequence, numerous challenges have emerged for the affected individuals and communities.

Furthermore, the Dideban website reported on a debt owed by one of Tehran Municipality's affiliated institutions to the Water and Sewerage Organization. This outstanding debt resulted in a water cut and forced the closure of the institution. The name of the institution is not disclosed. 

Adding to the crisis, the Mellat Cinema Campus experienced a complete shutdown and water cut on Sunday because of overdue payments to the Water and Sewage Organization. 

The water crisis in Iran has worsened with the beginning of summer. Multiple media outlets have reported power cuts affecting 15 government entities, including three ministries, two banks, and a central building belonging to an insurance company. 

Reconnection will only occur upon receiving a written commitment from the highest-ranking official responsible for each institution, ensuring compliance with consumption patterns.

Last summer, power outages and water cuts posed significant challenges for Iranian citizens and crucial industries such as steel. 

In a report published on June 8 by Tejjarat News website, official government sources highlighted the "water shortage crisis" in Iran. The report revealed that water levels in 18 dams across the country have plummeted by 25 to 75 percent compared to the previous year.

Specifically, six provinces, including Khorasan-Razavi, Hormozgan, Sistan-Baluchistan, Qazvin, Qom, and Tehran, are in critical states concerning water reserves.