Dam reservoir levels drop below 3% in Iran's second city: media
Mashhad, Iran’s spiritual powerhouse and second-largest city, is now facing a crisis that’s as dry as the desert winds: its dam reservoirs are running on fumes, with water levels dipping below 3%. It’s a stark reminder that even the holiest cities aren’t immune to the harsh realities of climate change and resource mismanagement. When the taps start running dry in a city that draws millions of pilgrims each year, it’s not just a local issue—it’s a national wake-up call wrapped in a crisis of faith and survival.
Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan Province, is home to over four million people and is best known for the Imam Reza Shrine, a major pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims. The city’s water supply relies on four dams, but with reservoirs now at less than 3% capacity, officials warn that water rationing may soon be unavoidable. The situation is exacerbated by a severe drought, with rainfall in the region plummeting to just a fraction of last year’s levels. This crisis highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management and conservation efforts in Iran’s major urban centers.
