Precipitation in Iran continues to fall

Iran has experienced 33 millimeters of precipitation from the beginning of the current crop year, which indicates a 31 percent decline compared to the long-term average precipitation (last 47 years which was 48 millimeters), Iran’s energy ministry reported.

Compared to the same period of the last crop year, total precipitation in Iran indicates a fall by 59 percent.

The highest rainfall was registered in Caspian Sea catchment with 115 millimeters of precipitation (39 percent decrease year-on-year), meanwhile the East catchment witnessed only 1 millimeter rainfall (95 percent fall).

Iran's total annual water consumption is approximately 93 billion cubic meters, out of which about 92 percent is used in agriculture (86 billion cubic meters), 6.6 percent in municipality (6.18 billion cubic meters), and 1.2 percent in industry (1.12 billion cubic meters), according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Up to 70 percent of water used in the agriculture sector is being wasted, Iranian officials say.