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This article will be expanded with more detailed information shortly.
This article will be expanded with more detailed information shortly.
As of April 5, 2023, Iran has seen a significant decline in rainfall, with total precipitation of only 14.5 mm this spring, a 28.1% drop from the average. In the past week, just 3.9 mm of rain was recorded, marking a 49.9% decrease. The cumulative rainfall since the start of the water year on September 23, 2024, is 114.1 mm, 37.1% below average, raising concerns about water availability and agriculture. While Mazandaran reported increased rainfall, provinces like Hormozgan and Sistan-Baluchestan faced severe deficits. Experts warn that ongoing drought conditions may intensify water scarcity in the region.
The 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings highlights the strong performance of Iranian universities, with 81 institutions recognized, up from 73 in 2024. The rankings cover ten academic areas, excluding Law, and assess universities through 18 performance indicators across five core pillars: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry, and International Outlook. Iranian universities excelled particularly in Computer Science and Engineering. The University of Tehran and Sharif University of Technology ranked highly in various disciplines. Additionally, 29 Iranian universities were acknowledged in the Interdisciplinary Science Rankings, and 32 in the QS Asia University Rankings, reflecting the country’s advancing educational landscape.
Iran’s water supply is threatened by over-extraction of groundwater, leading to a crisis marked by severe land subsidence in Tehran, where some areas sink up to 31 cm annually. This phenomenon, exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and mismanagement, endangers infrastructure and historical sites. Currently, reservoirs supplying Tehran are critically low, with only 13% capacity reported. Experts suggest urgent measures like reducing water usage and recycling. President Masoud Pezeshkian has proposed relocating Iran’s political center due to these escalating challenges. Without reforms in water management, Tehran faces significant risks to its infrastructure and population well-being.
During a meeting in Tehran, Marco Fernandes, the Brazilian representative at the BRICS Civil Council, advocated for utilizing the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s (IRCS) expertise to enhance humanitarian efforts among BRICS nations. He met with IRCS head Pirhossein Kolivand, who highlighted the organization’s vast volunteer base and plans to expand it significantly. Kolivand also emphasized training initiatives for social work teams and knowledge sharing among BRICS states to improve disaster management capabilities. At the fourth Eurasian Women’s Forum, IRCS director Razieh Alishvandi discussed empowering women through training programs, aligning with BRICS’s humanitarian goals and fostering international collaboration.