Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 8
By Fatih Karimov – Trend:
The volume of surface water runoff in Iran has dropped by 32 percent during the last crop year (ended Sept. 21) in comparison with the long-term average (last 47 years), according to the country's energy ministry.
"The volume of run-off in Iran stood at 59.112 billion cubic meters in the one-year period to Sept. 21, which indicated a 44 percent decline compared to the preceding year,” the ministry said on its website.
The volume of runoff in the catchment of Iran's eastern border indicated the highest fall in terms of runoff volume by 79 percent in comparison with long-term average to 307 million cubic meters. The volume of runoff in the catchment increased by 19 percent year-on- year.
Meanwhile the lowest fall in the runoff volume was registered in Urmia Lake catchment. The volume stood at 4.96 billion cubic meters, 5 percent less compared to the long-term average and 133 percent more year-on-year.
Iran's total precipitation during the last crop year stood at 241 millimeters, 22 percent more year- on-year.
Iran is located in an arid zone and the country faces a serious water shortage crisis.
Iran's total annual water consumption is approximately 93 billion cubic meters, out of which about 92 percent is used in agriculture (86 billion cubic meters), 6.6 percent in municipality (6.18 billion cubic meters), and 1.2 percent in industry (1.12 billion cubic meters), according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Up to 70 percent of water used in the agriculture sector is being wasted, Iranian officials say.