Iran Faces National Crisis as Land Subsidence Threatens Cities and Infrastructure
Iran is grappling with a severe environmental crisis as land subsidence rapidly expands, threatening millions of residents and critical infrastructure. A recent report from the Iranian Parliament's research center, published in the Shargh newspaper, reveals that over 380 cities and approximately 9,200 villages are located in areas already affected or at high risk of land sinking. This phenomenon now covers about 185,000 square kilometers, roughly 11% of Iran's territory, impacting nearly half the population, around 39 million people.
The primary cause identified is excessive groundwater extraction over many years, compounded by prolonged drought and declining rainfall. As aquifers deplete, soil layers compress and the ground sinks, a process that is nearly irreversible once it begins. The report warns that this is no longer a localized issue but a national threat endangering Iran's territorial security and development prospects.
The consequences extend beyond landscape changes, posing risks to roads, railways, water, gas, electricity, and communication networks, as well as residential buildings and historical sites. Economic damages, property devaluation, water quality deterioration, and population displacement are also major concerns. Tehran province is highlighted as the hardest hit, with about 1,630 square kilometers (12.5% of the province) affected, including areas such as Varamin plain, southwestern districts of the capital, and nearby cities like Eslamshahr, Shahriar, and Malard.
The report attributes much of the problem to Tehran's increasing reliance on groundwater, which has risen from supplying 25% of the city's water a decade ago to about 45% today, with some estimates suggesting nearly two-thirds of drinking water comes from underground sources. This report emerges amid repeated warnings from Iranian authorities about worsening water shortages after six consecutive years of drought, raising fears that continued over-extraction will accelerate land subsidence and cause irreversible damage across large parts of the country.
