TEHRAN — The director of the Tehran Water and Wastewater Company, Mohsen Ardakani, warned in an interview on Monday that "day zero" — the point when reservoirs run dry — is fast approaching. He said the only remaining action is for residents to cut consumption by at least 20%.

Ardakani, speaking to the state-owned IRNA, warned that, “If we fail to make serious efforts in conserving [water], we are approaching 'day zero,' which is when our reservoirs are completely emptied … However, the arrival of that day can be delayed depending on how much people consume, and if we do not seriously save, we will approach that point.”

He emphasized that while long-term plans are underway, immediate action is essential: “Plans for the future are being implemented, but in the current situation, the only way to save Tehran from the water crisis is for citizens to save at least 20% in consumption,” he added

Iran is in its fifth consecutive year of drought, with only 154.5 millimeters of rainfall recorded in the current year, the driest in a century, according to Ardakani.