Iran Orders Nationwide Shutdown Amid Soaring Temperatures, Protests
- By RFE/RL
The Iranian government has ordered government offices, banks, and schools to close for two days, citing "unprecedented heat." It comes at a time of rising anger over water outages that have led to protests against mismanagement of resources.
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A woman carries a parasol as she tries to stay cool amid an "unprecedented" heat wave in Tehran on August 2. The capital hit 37 degrees Celsius, while other parts of the country saw temperatures hit 40 degrees.
The extreme heat comes as rising anger over a range of economic issues as well as water outages has led to protests against the government's mismanagement of resources.
The extreme heat comes as rising anger over a range of economic issues as well as water outages has led to protests against the government's mismanagement of resources.
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A man drinks during the heat wave in Tehran.
The nationwide shutdown of offices, banks, and schools is aimed at conserving energy as the country's poorly maintained power grid struggles with the higher-than-usual demand.
The nationwide shutdown of offices, banks, and schools is aimed at conserving energy as the country's poorly maintained power grid struggles with the higher-than-usual demand.
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People in Tehran try to cool off with cold drinks.
With its rivers and lakes drying up and prolonged droughts becoming the norm, the heat wave is highlighting a water crisis in Iran that is turning much of the country’s territory to dust.
With its rivers and lakes drying up and prolonged droughts becoming the norm, the heat wave is highlighting a water crisis in Iran that is turning much of the country’s territory to dust.
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A man in Tehran splashes his face with water from the back of his taxi.
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A man rests in the shade near a busy road in Tehran.
The Health Ministry also warned that the two-day shutdown may need to be extended to protect people’s health.
The Health Ministry also warned that the two-day shutdown may need to be extended to protect people’s health.
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A young girl cools off in a water fountain at Tehran's Ebrahim Park as temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius on August 1.
State media reported temperatures had this week exceeded 51 degrees Celsius in the southern city of Ahvaz.
State media reported temperatures had this week exceeded 51 degrees Celsius in the southern city of Ahvaz.
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A boy tries to cool off with a bottle of water in Tehran.
Ahvaz holds the record for Asia’s hottest official temperature of 54 degrees Celsius, which it recorded in 2017.
Ahvaz holds the record for Asia’s hottest official temperature of 54 degrees Celsius, which it recorded in 2017.
