Water Crisis in Abushahr: Iranian Occupation Diverts Water, Leaving Ahwazis Thirsty
The city of Abushahr, located in the heart of occupied Arab Ahwaz, is facing an unprecedented water crisis that threatens the lives of residents and the future of agriculture. Accusations are mounting against the Iranian occupation for persistently diverting Ahwazi water resources to Persian regions, in blatant violation of international conventions that guarantee the rights of peoples to their natural resources.
Delvari and Kowsar dams, two of the region’s primary reservoirs, are experiencing a dramatic drop in storage levels. The Kowsar Dam is currently operating at no more than 36% of its capacity. This alarming decline is attributed to ongoing drought, reduced rainfall, and the absence of sound water management policies, according to reports by the Abushahr Water Authority.
The severe drop in surface water availability has placed unprecedented pressure on groundwater, leading to increased soil salinity and the destruction of thousands of hectares of farmland. As a result, the plains of Abushahr have now been classified as “strictly prohibited” for agriculture, according to Ali Mohammadi, a senior official in the water resources sector.
Despite the operation of several desalination plants, the Kowsar pipeline remains responsible for supplying 45% of Abushahr’s drinking water. However, the aging pipeline is plagued by frequent breakdowns; the operating company recorded three consecutive disruptions during the Eid al-Adha holiday, signaling an imminent collapse in service.
Ahwazi citizens have voiced growing frustration and anger over the continuation of Iranian policies that extract water from Ahwazi rivers and redirect it to Persian cities, while the people of Abushahr and other parts of Ahwaz are left to suffer from thirst, salinity, and the absence of usable water.
One water resources management expert stated, “We are facing a multi-layered crisis: drought, diversion of water to Persian cities, infrastructure collapse, and a complete lack of water justice. This is not just a service crisis—this is an existential threat to an entire people.”
The water crisis in Abushahr is no longer confined to infrastructure issues or climate change; it has become a strategic challenge that threatens public health, food security, and socio-economic stability across the Ahwaz region.
If the looting of Ahwazi water resources continues in favor of Persian expansionism, the next disaster will be far more severe than mere water shortages.
