Iran’s Extreme Heat: Government Shuts Down as Temperatures Soar

A severe heat wave has led Iranian authorities to close government and commercial institutions, with temperatures soaring up to 42 degrees Celsius in Tehran. Emergency services remain operational. The heat wave has also pushed electricity consumption to record levels. The country’s temperature rise is double the global average over the past 50 years.

A severe heat wave blanketing Iran has forced authorities to cut operating hours at various facilities on Saturday and order all government and commercial institutions to shut down on Sunday.

In the capital, Tehran, temperatures ranged from 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) to 42 C (107 F) on Saturday, according to weather reports.

The state-run IRNA news agency announced that banks, offices, and public institutions across the country would close on Sunday to protect people's health and conserve energy. Emergency services and medical agencies are the only exceptions.

Authorities also reduced working hours in many provinces on Saturday due to the sweltering heat, with temperatures exceeding 40 C (104 F) in Tehran since Friday. Iranian media has advised people to stay indoors until 5 pm local time.

Electricity consumption reached a record high of 78,106 megawatts on Tuesday, authorities revealed.

Nournews, close to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, reported that Iran's temperature is rising at twice the global average. Over the past 50 years, while the global average temperature has increased by more than one degree, Iran has warmed by 2 degrees. Last year, Iran ordered a two-day nationwide holiday due to extreme temperatures.

(With inputs from agencies.)