Iran Drinking Water Crisis Hits Tabriz, Third Day Without Water

Drinking water supply in large areas of Tabriz, Iran's Northwestern city, has been cut off for three consecutive days.

Residents have endured complete water cuts or limited access to low-pressure water during specific hours as temperatures soar as high as 37 degrees celsius in the East Azarbaijan Province. According to local media, the extensive water shortage was not preceded by any notification.

Mohammad Khani, CEO of East Azarbaijan Water and Sewerage Company, attributed the water cut to a sudden 20% surge in consumption due to the recent countrywide heatwave.

Pictures published by social media users of Nahand Dam, a vital water supply source for Tabriz, illustrates its alarming depletion compared to previous years.

The water crisis is not isolated to Tabriz, with widespread cuts in many other areas of East Azarbaijan province, particularly in dozens of villages. People in Jigheh village, for example, have been left with water for only 20 minutes every 72 hours, prompting them to dig wells in search of springs or other water sources.

This situation mirrors similar water shortages experienced in other Iranian cities. Zahedan endured several days of drinking water cuts in July, while Ahvaz faced similar challenges in various areas.

Even smaller towns across different provinces have been hit by drinking water cuts such as Divandarreh in Kordestan province causing residents to take to the streets to protest on Monday, resulting in injuries from tear gas fired by authorities to disperse the crowd.