The Syrian capital is grappling with a severe water shortage, leaving residents struggling to secure enough drinking and daily-use water as summer approaches.
Housewives in Damascus must closely monitor the water supply schedule, rushing to fill their tanks during the brief periods when water is available. In this neighborhood, residents receive water for only three hours every two days, which is insufficient to meet basic needs like drinking, cooking, and laundry.
"In Damascus, water is rationed every two or three days. By the time it's our turn, our tank is often completely empty. But the supply window is so short that we can't even fill it up properly," said Buthaina, a local resident.
The stored water is barely enough to cover a family's needs for washing, cooking, and bathing over several days. When drinking water runs out, families are forced to buy more, but soaring prices mean many can afford only three bottles a day.
This year has seen the lowest rainfall since 1956 in the Fijeh spring, a major water source for Damascus. Local water authorities are attempting to repair abandoned wells to ease the pressure, but these measures fall short of a long-term solution.
As temperatures rise, Damascus braces for a brutally hot and difficult summer.
Damascus faces severe water crisis as summer approaches
Damascus faces severe water crisis as summer approaches
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
