The next heatwave has settled in, exacerbating Iran’s ongoing water crisis. In the southwestern city of Omidieh, located in the industrial province of Khuzestan, temperatures reached 51°C (123.8°F) on Thursday. In other parts of the country, maximum temperatures also soared above 45°C (113°F), according to local broadcasts. In the coming days, sandstorms and poor air quality are also expected in various parts of Iran.
This was reported by the country’s state broadcaster, citing a warning from the national meteorological authority. The heatwave is hitting the country at a critical time, as recent climate expert reports indicate that 80 percent of the country’s reservoirs are nearly empty. In numerous cities, authorities have ordered forced water supply cuts. In Tehran, the capital and largest metropolis, faucets have run dry for hours over the past few days.
Extreme Temperatures Also Affect Neighboring Countries Khuzestan Province, rich in oil, is one of the hottest inhabited regions on Earth. Its residents have adapted their daily lives to the extreme temperatures. However, the increasing power outages and water shortages are making life difficult—especially when air conditioners fail and the heat becomes unbearable.
In neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iraq, temperatures are also rising occasionally above 50°C (122°F). Iran is one of the driest countries in the world. In recent years, climate researchers have recorded a significant drop in rainfall, while extreme weather events such as droughts and flash floods have become more frequent. According to experts, climate change is impacting Iran more rapidly and severely than many other regions of the world.
The Hottest Place on Earth is in the U.S. Death Valley, located in the eastern California and Nevada desert, is considered the hottest place on Earth. The recorded temperature at Greenland Ranch in July 1913—an astounding 56.7°C (134°F)—is recognized as a world record. However, in 2016, a scientist deemed the reading "meteorologically impossible" and suspected a measurement error. In recent years, extreme temperatures exceeding 50°C have been regularly recorded in Death Valley.
