Scorching Heatwave Pushes Water Supplies to Breaking Point in the Middle East

An intense heatwave sweeping across parts of the Middle East has aggravated what experts warn could become a full-blown water crisis. Countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon are already seeing dam reservoirs at record lows, escalating water outages, and appeals from governments for citizens to drastically reduce usage as the region battles one of its driest years in recent memory.

In Iran, temperatures have soared past **50 °C in several southern provinces**. The reservoirs supplying Tehran are reportedly at their lowest levels in over a century. Authorities have called on residents to reduce water usage by at least **20%**, warning of possible long-duration water pressure drops or outages lasting 12–18 hours in some areas. Tehran has also declared a public holiday to ease strain on electricity and water systems as the heatwave accelerates demand.

Similarly, in **Iraq**, the heat and drought have worsened existing water stress. Key reservoirs are depleted; some reports indicate they are at about **8% of full capacity**. Regions along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are suffering from reduced upstream flows, affecting irrigation and drinking water supplies. Heat-related demand, both for cooling and agriculture, is pushing infrastructure to the limits.

In **Lebanon**, a severe drought has drained the country’s largest reservoir, Lake Qaraoun, to historic low levels. Rainfall during the latest wet season amounted to just **45 million cubic metres**, a steep drop from the roughly 350 million cubic metres typical for this period. Water flowing into the reservoir has not only declined dramatically, but what remains is largely unusable due to pollution. This has impaired irrigation, domestic water provision, and even electricity generation.

Root Causes include prolonged drought, climate change-driven shifts in precipitation, overexploitation of groundwater and upstream dams altering natural river flows. Poor infrastructure, legacy mismanagement, and lack of investment in water conservation and storage are compounding the crisis.

Impacts on Population & Economy are deepening: urban water supply is under severe stress, agriculture is facing crop losses and reduced yields, power generation (especially hydroelectric) is compromised, and social tensions are rising as governments impose restrictions or long water cuts. In many places, public services are disrupted, and the public is being urged to take emergency action to reduce consumption.

Government Responses & Mitigations thus far include public appeals for conservation, scheduled reductions in water pressure, implementing water-site holidays, and exploring international water trade or import arrangements (in some cases). There is also focus on restoring dam inflows, improving water infrastructure, and addressing pollution so water that is stored can safely be used.

Outlook & Risks are sobering. Without swift and coordinated action, experts warn parts of the region could face chronic water shortages—leading to humanitarian stress, internal displacement, and conflict over scarce resources. Heatwaves are expected to become more frequent and intense under climate change, which means water scarcity could be not just episodic but structural. Portions of the population are already experiencing “water poverty,” and damage to agriculture threatens food security.

Conclusion Water scarcity driven by the current heatwave is pushing several Middle Eastern countries toward crisis. Solutions will require immediate conservation measures, infrastructure investment, regional cooperation, and long-term climate adaptation strategies. The window to act is narrowing as this summer’s heat extremes show just how vulnerable water systems are in the region.