Iran Cancels 50 Planned Dams

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Drought in Khuzestan

Drought in Khuzestan
Radio Farda

Iranian news is reporting that the country’s Ministry of Energy has canceled 50 planned dams, due to a lack of rainfall.

According to Radio Farda, the head of Iran’s meteorological organization has reported that rainfall has dropped to just 40% of what is normal in 17 provinces in the last two months. Even drier conditions are threatening five Iranian provinces: Qom, South Khorasan, Esfahan, Central and Yazd.

Scientists say that climate change has already led to a 10% drop in rainfall in the country in the last 20 years, and a 1.5 degree increase in average temperatures. 

According to Radio Farda, the Ministry of Energy announced that it has made the decision to halt the dam projects, due to an increase in the evaporation of water resources from climate change to 25 billion cubic meters and a 20% decrease in the country’s floods.

A report by the Iran Student News Agency (ISNA) reported earlier this year that climate change is also driving air pollution and the drying of wetlands throughout the country.