According to a report Saturday from the semi-official Tasnim news agency, the Amir Kabir Dam, one of Iran's largest hydroelectric facilities, has been disconnected from the national power grid after the reservoir fell below usable capacity.
The dam, built in 1974 as part of the shah's push to modernize Iran's infrastructure and agriculture, is expected to remain offline for an extended period even if rainfall replenishes the reservoir in the coming months.
The prolonged drought across the Islamic republic is placing additional strain on its economy. Authorities ordered schools, universities and religious institutions in Tehran to shut down after unusually severe air pollution developed as a result of the dry conditions and airborne dust.
Government ministries in Tehran were also instructed to shift two-thirds of their workforce to remote work. Officials told Tasnim these are only initial steps to confront the capital's deteriorating situation and warned that more drastic measures will follow if conditions continue to worsen.
