The unforgiving summer heat in Iran is making life increasingly tough for its residents, especially those who lack the basic amenity of air conditioning. Rising temperatures, soaring as high as 57 degrees Celsius, combined with long-standing mismanagement of water resources, have resulted in a precarious situation, leaving many Iranians in dire straits.

Source: TRT World/YouTube

In the southern parts of the country, areas prone to droughts and heatwaves due to the desert landscape and proximity to the Persian Gulf, a deadly combination of poverty and scorching heat is overwhelming people. Salty or dry taps, along with unaffordable air-conditioning, have become the norm, exacerbating an already worsening situation.

The UN water expert Kaveh Madani termed Iran’s situation as “water bankruptcy“. He blames the crisis on misguided policies promoting agriculture and development that led to water consumption exceeding supply for so long that reversing the depletion is now impossible.

As groundwater reserves dry up and Climate change intensifies, droughts worsen. Iranians, particularly in rural areas, struggle to afford trucked-in or store-bought water. Unsurprisingly, water shortages sparked protests in 2021, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the crisis.

Everyday life has become a struggle for many, with no alternative but to rely on saline water or wells contaminated with dead rats and insects. The southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan faces an even grimmer situation. As per a government official, it may run out of municipal water entirely by September.

Residents have had to adapt to this harsh reality, reducing their water usage to the absolute minimum and adjusting their daily routines to the heat. However, for many who work outdoors, there is no escape from the sun.

While the situation is dire, the resilience of the Iranian people is evident. Their lives, however, are a stark reminder of the urgent need for better water management and climate change mitigation strategies.

Planet B Not Found Tee by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content:

• Uruguay’s Struggle with Drought: Seeking Solutions to Water Scarcity
• Climate Activists Turn Rome’s Iconic Fountain into a Symbol of Drought and Crisis
• Venice Canals Run Dry Amid Fears of Another Drought in Italy
• How California, Arizona, and Other Western States Are Creating New Water Supply During Drought
• Over 200 Elephants and Thousand Other Wild Animals Die Amid Kenya Drought

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and essential stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!