Iran Imposes Two-Day Nationwide Blackout Due to Extreme Heatwave

In an unprecedented move, the Iranian government has announced a two-day national shutdown starting on Wednesday, as the country grapples with a relentless heatwave that is set to make July the hottest month in history.

The extreme heat has already broken records, with the hottest three-week period and the three hottest days on record expected to be set this month. In some southern provinces, temperatures have soared to 50C (122F), causing significant concern for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and outdoor workers.

The decision to shut down governmental offices, schools, banks, and the stock exchange was made after the Health Ministry issued a warning about a possible increase in cases of heat exhaustion. Hospitals have been put on high alert due to the heat, and Ahvaz, a city in southern Iran, has seen the mercury hit 51C (123F) this week.

This is the first time that the Iranian government has announced a nationwide shutdown due to extreme heat. The shutdown is also a response to the years-long drought that has drained resources and forced authorities to shut down businesses in specific areas. Iran is among the countries with the highest water stress due to inefficient agricultural practices, rapid population growth, and water misuse.

However, it's important to note that Iran has not joined the Paris Agreement on climate change, making it the largest greenhouse gas emitter not to have ratified the agreement. Global temperatures have already risen 1C, and predictions for 2.7C warming or more would have catastrophic environmental, social, and economic impacts.

The extreme heat in Iran is not an isolated event. Ocean temperatures have reached an all-time high, with places like Florida surpassing the 38C (100F) mark. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that global mean temperature temporarily surpassed the 1.5C threshold above pre-industrial levels during the first and third week of July.

While no new information about water stress by country in 2023 is provided, it's clear that the heatwave in Iran underscores the urgent need for action to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable future for all. The Tehran capital is expecting temperatures up to 39C (102.2F) on Wednesday, a reminder that the fight against climate change is a global effort that requires the participation of all nations.