Iran’s president has announced that the country has no choice but to relocate its capital from Tehran to the south, due to the city’s excessive expansion, insufficient water supply, and the growing threat of ground subsidence caused by the depletion of underground water reserves.
Tehran has turned into a megacity of over 10 million residents, consuming nearly one-quarter of Iran’s total water resources. Last year, the amount of precipitation was only 140 mm, compared to the normal 260 mm, representing a 50–60% decrease. This year, even less rainfall is expected—around 100 mm.
According to The Guardian, in some parts of Tehran the ground is subsiding by up to 30 cm per year. The city is considered one of the most vulnerable capitals in the world, due to the combination of ground subsidence, seismic risks, and water scarcity.
This information was shared by Levon Azizyan, Director of the “Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center” SNCO.
