Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.20
By Elnur Baghishov, Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The Pilesehran dam, with the capacity of around 6 million cubic meters is ready for commissioning after modernization in Iran’s Ardabil province, said Karim Fakour, director of water, land and engineering authority of the Department of Agriculture in Ardabil province.
Fakour noted that the dam will be put into operation by the end of the current Iranian calendar year, which began on March 21, 2018, IRNA reported.
The capacity of the dam stood at two million cubic meters last year, he said, noting that around 4 million cubic meters will be added to its capacity after the modernization this year.
Fakour said that the dam will be provided with new irrigation system.
Statistics show that Iran ranks 13th among the most water-stressed countries in 2040. Due to unconditional agricultural activities and extraction of too much of its aquifers, today Iran has lost much of its underground water resources causing large holes in almost 50 percent of its plains.
Unlike some who blame low precipitation for all the problems of water shortage, there are others who think mismanagement of water resources is the main cause.
Efficient water usage is a must for Iranians either in industry, agriculture or home usage. Many say unstudied dam construction is one of the main reasons for water shortage because it impounds huge reserves of water which then is evaporated into sky under the heat of sun; however, one should not forget the benefits that dams offer including curbing floods, supplying drinking water and generation of electricity.