Iran’s Triple Crisis Reshaping Daily Life Amid Heat and Power Outages
Date Published
Iran is experiencing a profound crisis driven by simultaneous water shortages, electricity blackouts, and extreme temperatures, reshaping everyday life for millions.
The Impact of Iran’s Converging Crises
Every morning, residents like Sara in Tehran plan their day around unpredictable power outages and water cuts, which now dominate daily routines.
Without electricity, basic comfort such as air conditioning becomes a luxury, intensifying the heat during Iran's scorching summers.
Chronic drought and underinvestment have weakened Iran’s infrastructure, leaving essential services fragile amid rising demand.
The country’s water year has seen rainfall drop by 40 percent, with only 137mm received compared to the long-term average of 228.2mm.
An October parliamentary report reveals that 85 percent of Iran’s electricity is generated from fossil fuels, highlighting dependency on aging infrastructure.
Fuel supply disruptions have forced some power plants to use heavy fuel oil instead of natural gas, further straining the system and worsening pollution.
These issues are compounded by Iran's fifth consecutive year of drought, which reduces hydroelectric capacity precisely when air conditioning needs peak.
As a result, residents like Fatemeh face unannounced water and power outages daily, forcing them into constant crisis management.
Personal Stories of Adaptation
Fatemeh recently moved to Tehran to pursue education but quickly learned to navigate the city's unreliable services. Her first unplanned water cut left her in a sweltering apartment with no relief from the heat.
For many Iranians, survival depends on improvising—filling buckets during brief water availability or adjusting schedules around blackout hours.
These hardships reveal Iran's fragile infrastructure, vulnerable to climate extremes and economic sanctions alike.
The convergence of climate change effects with socio-economic challenges exposes long-term vulnerabilities that demand urgent attention.
Understanding how Iranians adapt provides insight into resilience amid escalating environmental stressors affecting the region and beyond.