Water Crisis: Iran and 16 Other Countries Approaching 'Doomsday'

The latest estimate by the World Resources Institute shows that Iran, along with Qatar, Israel, and Lebanon, is at the top of the countries facing an "extraordinary water crisis" and is on the verge of the "last day," meaning the day when water resources may run out.

A new estimate published in the research institute's "Water Hazards Atlas" places Iran in fourth place among countries close to the "end of the world."

Seventeen countries, including Iran, which together account for a quarter of the world's population, are in a situation that the research institute has classified as the "worst" places in terms of drought and water scarcity crisis.

But Iranian citizens, even in the best of circumstances, cannot afford to be too generous with the help of their neighbors and neighboring countries, as 12 of the 17 countries are located in West Asia and North Africa: from Qatar and Lebanon to Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

The situation is just as bad in the north and east of Iran: Pakistan, India, and Turkmenistan are all among the 17 countries affected by the crisis.

Demographically, India is the worst-hit country. Not only is it among the 17 countries on the brink of the “last days,” but its population is three times larger than all 16 other countries combined.

As researchers at the World Resources Institute have stated, crisis-stricken countries in West Asia and North Africa, including Iran and its neighboring countries, are not only facing drought and water shortages and problems caused by climate change, but increased demand has also worsened the situation.

A World Bank report last summer found the region to be among the most “water-unsustainable” regions, particularly due to groundwater use. More than 80 percent of the water used is not recycled, and its countries face the “greatest economic losses” from water shortages due to climate change.

"The damage caused by water scarcity is the worst crisis that no one is talking about," said Andrew Steer, director of the World Resources Institute, according to AFP. "Food insecurity, economic instability, war and migration are the consequences of this crisis."

In January of last year, the head of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce's Water Studies Center said that "50 years of mismanagement" meant that we were only "five years away" from a "general water disaster" in Iran.

Mohammad Hossein Shariatmadar expressed pessimism about whether there was "sufficient will to solve this problem," adding that "it is possible to organize, restore, and revive the country's water resources."

Researchers at the World Resources Institute also say that problems can be reduced by investing in water resources management.

According to the institute, there are "three available ways" to deal with the problems caused by the water crisis: increasing agricultural productivity, for example by using seeds that require less water, and improving agricultural technologies.

Investing in “gray” infrastructure, such as proper plumbing, and “green” infrastructure, such as wetlands or healthy watersheds, can address both water scarcity and the problem of polluted water.

And finally, changing attitudes, reusing and recycling water; "We must forget the approach that used water can no longer be recycled." With the right approach and reusing water, "new" water resources can be created.

Source: Radio Farda