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Iran’s run-off volume decreases by 52 percent

Business Materials 29 May 2014 16:56 (UTC +04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, May 29

By Umid Niayesh - Trend:

The volume of run-offs in Iran stood at 25.5 billion cubic meters during the one-month period from March 21 to April 21.

The figure indicates a 52-percent fall compared to the long-term average volume of the same period, Iran's Fars news agency reported on May 29 citing Iran Water Resources Management Company.

The average volume of the country's run-offs during one-month period of last 45 years (long-term average) was 52.999 billion cubic meters.

The run-off volume has also decreased by 15 percent compared to a one-month period from March 21, 2013 to April 21, 2013.

The volume of run-offs in the catchments of Caspian Sea, Gulf, Urmia Lake, Markazi, Hamoun and Sarakhs stood at 3.535 billion, 16.416 billion, 1.146 billion, 3.436 billion, 249 million and 724 million cubic meters respectively during the one-month period.

The figures indicate falls by 32, 7, 10, 21 and 36 percent respectively compared to the same period of preceding year.

Comparing the figures with long-term period average shows that run-off volume in Iran's Caspian Sea sector, Markazi, Hamoun, Gulf, Urmia Lake and Sarakhs catchments has fallen by 61, 47, 58, 56, 75 and 60 percent respectively.

Iran is located in an arid zone and the country has been repeatedly faced with drought in the past 40 years.

The drought of 1992-2002 caused a major blow to agriculture. There were quotas imposed for fresh water in several cities including Tehran.

On May 19, Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian said water shortage has turned into a serious problem for the country. He added that renewable water reserves have decreased from 130 billion cubic meters to 120 billion cubic meters.

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