Iran experiencing one of the driest water years since 1971

In the first three months of the current water year (September 23 – December 10), precipitation in Iran has declined by 33%, making 2021 one of the driest years in the past 50 years. In addition, the country is 51% short of rain compared to the same period last year.

Iran received an average of 33.5 mm (1.31 inches) of rain from September 23 to December 10, down from the long-term average of 49.6 mm (1.95 inches), representing a 33% decrease in rainfall and making the national center for drought and crisis management to consider this year to be one of the driest in the past 50 years.

Reduction of precipitation, especially snowfall in the country has caused the level of snow cover not to be in a favorable condition compared to last year.

The snow cover in the country last year was 170 994 km² (66 021 mi²).

By December 10, 2021, it has decreased to 133 011 km² (51 355 mi²), which shows a decrease of 37 983 km² (14 665 mi²).

As a result, only 35% of Iran's major dam reservoirs are filled.

Reference:

Iran short of rain by 33% – Tehran Times

Featured image credit: Fulvio Spada (Flickr)