Average rainfall in Iran since the beginning of the current water year (Sept 23, 2019) until April 1, 2020 shows a 38-millimeter decline compared to the same period last year.
Rainfall in 192 days reached 241 millimeters while in the past year same period 279 mm of rain fell, IRNA reported.
The decrease comes amid rising water consumption due to the spread of the coronavirus in Iran.
Following spread of COVID-19 in Iran and 203 other countries and the need to observe personal hygiene and health safety measures, water consumption in the country has jumped because of regular washing of hands and cleaning possessions and the environment.
Safety measures against the virus include cleaning hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
Water Use Alarming
Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian has said that water consumption in some provinces including Tehran has increased by 40% compared to last year, which is alarming.
According to Energy Ministry data, the average Iranian uses 250 liters of water per day, while per capita water consumption in metropolises such as Tehran often exceeds 300 liters.
In normal conditions, though, average water consumption in Tehran is 2.5 times more than the global average. The infectious disease has made a bad situation worse as conservationists and agro experts keep warning that the present consumption patterns are not sustainable and that farmers are “using water they do not have.”
Tehran accounts for less than 1.1% of the country’s land area, but accounts for 20% of the population and 45% of the industrial base. This means high and rising water consumption.
“When we talk about challenges in water consumption, we don't necessarily mean the volume of water in our reservoirs and dams. We look at the capacity of our water treatment plants. They should have the capacity to treat enough water for different purposes,” Ardakanian said.
He reiterated calls to the public to cut water use so that the nation does not face shortages in the summer season when water and power consumption jumps to much higher levels.
Less Rainfall
Gilan, Lorestan and Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad provinces have had the highest rainfall so far and the desert Yazd Province in central Iran has registered the lowest precipitation.
Gilan in the north has received 783 mm of rainfall; however, it is less than last year when 849 mm of rain fell.
Lorestan and Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad registered 622 mm and 571 mm of rain in the period, about half of last year’s 1,082 mm and 1,011 mm, respectively. The least amount of rain fell in Yazd barely reaching 69 mm.
Iran Meteorological Organization has predicted more rainfall this week except for the dry southern and southeastern areas.
The novel coronavirus, which was first reported in China in December, has caused an outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19) worldwide.
Iran has confirmed more than 53,000 cases of known infections with over 3,300 dead by Friday afternoon.
The total number of people worldwide who have tested positive for the virus exceeded 1.1 million with 59,000 plus deaths.
