Local authorities in the capital of Iran closed schools and universities and restricted the movement of trucks due to alarming levels of air pollution, local media report.
As of November 29, the AQI in Tehran and surrounding areas rose to 170–200, which is considered unhealthy for all age groups.
Experts explain that values from 0 to 50 are considered good, from 151 to 200 – unhealthy, and above 200 – very unhealthy.
“Air pollution will cause deaths if it exceeds this level.”
– Mohammad Jafar Kayempanah
Vice President Masoud Pezeshkian said there would be serious health consequences and a possible deadly threat if the concentration continues to rise.
Tehran’s Air Quality Control Authority advised residents to avoid unnecessary time outdoors. Elderly people and children, as well as patients with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, were advised to stay at home as long as possible.
Transport Restrictions and Consequences for the City
Authorities have imposed restrictions on car travel. Government agencies, banks and other businesses are operating with reduced staffing, and some employees have been shifted to remote work.
This emergency compounds the environmental crisis and economic difficulties amid sanctions; experts also point to a water crisis, which could lead to evacuations of parts of Tehran and a discussion of relocating the capital to another city.
“The level of their warnings is too low compared with the reality on the ground.”
– Kaveh Madani
On November 29, the Iranian news agency IRNA reported that the large dam and the Karkheh power plant were taken offline due to reduced water in the lake near the dam. Karkheh is the largest earthen dam in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world, built on the Karkheh River.
Efforts to ease the water shortage have led to a new crisis: drought is reducing water reserves, and the government is restricting water supply to Tehran, where about 10 million people live. The Prime Minister’s Office warned of a possible evacuation of parts of the city and is discussing relocating the capital to another city.
The head of Iran’s Meteorological Organization Saha Tadjbakhsh explained to state television that cloud seeding, despite its high cost, does not provide the expected amount of rainfall to solve Iran’s water crisis.