A heat wave in Iran causes water and electricity shortages in a large part of the country, when the water tanks are tested with abnormally low levels, state media reported on Tuesday.
Ary country, Iran is regularly confronted with drought episodes and summers are often hot, mechanically increasing electricity consumption to supply air conditioning.
This phenomenon is amplified this year by extreme temperatures: for lack of sufficient rains, the dams are almost dry, causing cutting of running water but also electricity.
Wednesday, administrations and public buildings will be closed in at least 15 of the 31 provinces as Iran counts, in order to save water and electricity. In Tehran and his region, the authorities decreed on Wednesday public holidays for this same reason.
Low lakes at the lowest
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Tuesday that the government could ‘extend’ the measure and warn against the ‘critical situation’ for water supply to Tehran.
The capital’s water management company called on Sunday, residents to reduce their consumption by at least 20%’, in order to alleviate the crisis.
‘The dams that have fueled Tehran in water have currently been at their lowest level for a century,’ she said evoking ‘The worst drought for 60 years’ in the Iranian capital.
Residents reported water cuts on Tuesday in certain districts of Tehran.
‘Water crisis’
‘We haven’t had water for 10 days’, Ms. Moïni, a 52 -year -old housewife who did not wish to give her full name, to AFP.
‘Our life collapsed’ because of the heat wave, adds Ms. Moïni.
‘People cannot go about their usual occupations (…) They are forced to stay more at home and productivity at work decreases’, notes Mehdi Zandi, a 42 -year -old technician.
The Fars news agency has released images of drinking water bags ready to be distributed to the population if necessary.
The water crisis made the front page of many newspapers in Iran on Tuesday. ‘Half out-service dam’ title notably the daily Shargh.
‘The water crisis is more serious than what we’re talking about today,’ warned the Iranian president, Massoud Pezeshkian, calling on his compatriots on Sunday to think about excessive consumption ‘of water.
Engine breakdowns
Iran is confronted at the hottest week of the year with temperatures that exceed 50 ° C locally, according to the national weather.
In southern Iran, the locality of Shabankareh recorded Monday 53 ° C.
In Tehran, motorists have been forced to stop to cool their engine by more than 40 ° C, AFP noted.
Extreme temperatures, which started on Friday, are expected to fade from Thursday, state television said.
The weather services warn against the day -to -day increase in ultraviolet levels, dangerous for health.
Last July, the government had already ordered the closure of banks and administrations due to hot weather.
Electricity consumption had also reached a record level with more than 79,000 megawatts.
/ATS
