Water shortage hits Iran

Tehran: More than 1,000 Iranians marched on Sunday towards the governor’s office in the western province of Chahar-Mahal Bakhtiari to demand a solution to water shortages, state media reported.

The march came two days after thousands of protesters converged on the central city of Isfahan to vent their anger after the lifeblood river dried up due to drought and diversion. Footage broadcast by state television showed crowds of protesters marching in the streets of Shahr-e Kord, the provincial capital of Chahar-Mahal Bakhtiari.

They were heard chanting "it is forbidden to divert the water of Chahar-Mahal" and shouting slogans against "projects to transfer water to other regions". Iran has endured repeated droughts over the past decade, including in the south.

The Islamic republic has also experienced regular floods in recent years, a phenomenon made worse when torrential rain falls on sun-baked earth. Scientists say climate change amplifies droughts, and their intensity and frequency in turn threaten food security.