Iran drought forces power cuts

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran is facing a summer of power cuts after a severe drought slashed output from its hydroelectric power plants, the energy minister warned, according to press reports on Thursday.

"The electricity shortage and the cuts will multiply before the start of summer," Energy Minister Parviz Fattah was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency.

He said there was a shortfall in electricity production due to "the drought and the lack of water" in dams.

"The production of hydro-electric power must reach 6,500 megawatts but for the moment it is only 1,500 megawatts."

A spring of only sporadic rain has left Iran with a severe drought as it enters summer, which is normally hot and dry all over the country except in the humid northern provinces....