Iran is facing a severe land subsidence crisis, with media reports highlighting that approximately 56,000 square kilometers of the country are under threat. This area encompasses 8 airports, 54 railway stations, 25 metro stations, and houses an estimated 14 million people. The scope of the issue has prompted dramatic headlines, such as one from the Didban Iran website: “A monster called subsidence is devouring Iran.”
The Scale of the Problem
In a detailed report by Didban Iran, the Environmental Protection Organization disclosed that 256 out of 429 cities in Iran are grappling with subsidence. Eight cities—Kerman, Rafsanjan, and Sirjan in Kerman Province; Marvdasht in Fars Province; Neyshabur in Razavi Khorasan Province; Bueenzahra in Qazvin Province; and Gonbad-e Kavus and Aqqala in Golestan Province—have experienced land subsidence exceeding 1,000 square kilometers each.
Infrastructure Under Threat
The report underscores the significant damage subsidence causes to critical infrastructure, including metro lines, highways, major roads, and railways. It reveals that 15% of the country’s railway lines—about 1,380 kilometers—are affected, and eight major airports face serious risks. These include Tehran’s International Airport, which serves over 8 million passengers annually, and airports in Isfahan, Urmia, Kerman, Gorgan, and Shahrekord.
Human and Environmental Impact
Alarmingly, the crisis directly impacts around 14 million people, nearly one-fifth of Iran’s population. In some regions, land is sinking by more than 10 centimeters annually, with extreme cases reaching 35 centimeters per year. Subsidence has also spread to Iran’s northern and verdant provinces, contrary to public assumptions. Geologist Ali Baitollahi has warned of significant subsidence in Mazandaran Province, attributing it to excessive and unsustainable groundwater extraction.
A study by the “Country Mapping Organization” revealed that approximately 4,100 square kilometers in eastern Mazandaran, including urban areas such as Galugah, Behshahr, and Sari, are experiencing land subsidence. The Donya-e Eghtesad newspaper reported cracks in Isfahan’s historical structures, describing them as precursors to ecological disasters threatening the central plateau.
Mismanagement and Policy Failures
Experts argue that poor water management policies, over-extraction of groundwater, and mismanagement by Iranian authorities are key contributors to this escalating crisis. In October, a spokesperson for the water industry stated that 422 plains across Iran are now classified as “critical” due to excessive groundwater withdrawals, while another 359 plains are at high risk of subsidence.
A Call for Action
The situation in Iran is dire. The convergence of natural and man-made factors has created a crisis that threatens lives, infrastructure, and historical heritage. Without immediate and effective intervention, the subsidence crisis could lead to catastrophic consequences for the nation’s ecology, economy, and society. Addressing this requires not only improved water management but also a broader commitment to sustainable environmental policies.