Iran's Latyan Dam, one of Tehran's primary water sources, has fallen to approximately 9% of its capacity, marking the lowest reservoir since completion, the Ministry of Energy reported on November 13.

The dam's reservoir, which has a capacity of around 95mn cubic metres, has faced a continuous decline in reserves over the past 10 years. Consecutive droughts, a 40% to 50% drop in rainfall, and increased urban consumption have pushed the dam to its lowest storage level in recent history, with overall levels across dams feeding the capital city reaching an average of 5% capacity.

To stem the losses, Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi warned that a Tehran household consuming 145 times the standard water consumption pattern will face disconnection in addition to fines, as authorities intensify efforts to enforce fair usage, Tasnim reported on November 12.

Aliabadi announced the policy shift during a meeting with Kerman province representatives in the Islamic Consultative Assembly and water and electricity industry managers at Kerman governorate. He stated that this year's slogan is "restriction instead of cuts" in energy consumption management.

"Such behaviour is unacceptable. In these cases, in addition to fines, water disconnection will also be implemented," Aliabadi said, according to Tasnim. "Water is the share of all people and no one should violate this public right."

The minister outlined plans to delegate extensive powers to provinces contingent on fair management implementation. He stated his readiness to transfer all Ministry of Energy authorities in water and electricity sectors to governors if equitable consumption management is guaranteed.

Iran is confronting one of its most severe water crises in recent decades, with Tehran's dam reserves falling 43% and officials warning of potential rationing and emergency evacuations.

President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that if rainfall does not arrive by December, the government will be forced to begin water rationing in Tehran. "Even if we ration and still no rain comes, then we will have no water at all. People will have to evacuate Tehran," he said, according to Jahan Sanat.

Tehran Water and Wastewater Company has denied reports of official rationing in Tehran but IntelliNews previously reported that nighttime water pressure reductions are being implemented, with regions of the capital city seeing severe drops in pressure through the day.

Pirouz Hanachi, former mayor of Tehran, warned that water consumption increases tenfold for every residential unit built, criticising unplanned construction for exacerbating the capital's water crisis, SNN recorded him as saying on November 12.

"This is Tehran, not Switzerland," Hanachi said, referring to the water crisis in Tehran and the role of unplanned construction in intensifying the problem.

He stated that for every residential unit constructed, water consumption equivalent to 10 units increases, and this trend must not continue.

Iran has recorded just 3.5 millimetres of rainfall over the past 50 days, equivalent to 18% of the normal average, with 20 provinces receiving no precipitation at all, Khabaronline reported on November 13.

The previous water year marked the country's fifth consecutive dry year, accompanied by a 40% decrease in rainfall. This sharp decline in precipitation created difficult conditions for drinking water supply, agriculture, and various consumption needs, according to Hamshahri.

Despite severe reductions in water resources in dams and reservoirs, the country managed to pass the previous water year with minimal disruption. Tehran and Bandar Abbas experienced unprecedented water shortages last year, with dam water volumes reaching their lowest levels in operational history.

Dam construction, water transfer lines, and irrigation and drainage networks represent examples of Iran's approach to water governance over past decades. These measures were implemented to solve water problems and develop regions, but in many cases brought social, economic, security, and political consequences.