Iran Halts Karkheh Dam Power Generation Amid Severe Drought

Electricity Production Halted at Karkheh Dam

Iranian authorities announced on November 30, 2025, the cessation of electricity production at the Karkheh Dam, one of the country's largest dams. The decision was made following a significant drop in the reservoir's water level, attributed to a severe and prolonged drought affecting the region.

Amir Mahmoudi, the head of the Karkheh Dam and its power plant, confirmed the shutdown, stating that 'Due to the drop in the Karkheh Dam reservoir level, its power plant's units were removed from the production circuit.' Water from the dam's lower valves is now being released to meet the essential needs of communities downstream.

Critical Water Levels and Dam Significance

The Karkheh Dam's reservoir currently holds approximately one billion cubic meters of water. This level, at 180 meters, is 40 meters lower than the minimum required for the dam's power generation operations.

The Karkheh Dam, an earthen embankment structure, is recognized as one of the largest in the world and holds the distinction of being the largest in both Iran and the Middle East. Located on the Karkheh River, about 22 kilometers (14 miles) northwest of Andimeshk in the southwestern province of Khuzestan, the dam was designed for multiple purposes, including irrigation of 320,000 hectares of land, flood control, and hydroelectricity generation with a capacity of 400 megawatts.

Iran's Worsening Drought Crisis

The shutdown underscores Iran's struggle with one of its most severe droughts in six decades. Reports indicate that precipitation levels across the country have decreased by approximately 90 percent this year compared to the long-term average. The Karkheh basin, in particular, has experienced several consecutive years of low rainfall.

The ongoing water scarcity has broader implications for Iran's energy sector, as hydropower typically accounts for 4.4 percent of the nation's electricity generation, contributing to chronic power shortages. Other major dams, including Karaj and Latian, which supply the capital Tehran, are also facing critically low water levels. In response to the crisis, Iranian authorities have initiated measures such as cloud seeding operations and periodic water rationing in affected areas.