Tehran, YJC. Iran's minister of energy has said that due to scanty preciptitaion this year the country's water reservoirs behind dams has lessened 3.4 percent.
Hamid Chitchian speaking in an interview on Thursday stated that the country's dams capacity is 45 billion m3, while currently they hold only 19.8 billion.
The amount was 20.4 billion m3 last year (Iranian calendar) and has declined by 3.4 percent.
He added that 140 dams are under construction around the country, which, when operational, will incrase the country's dams capacity by 25 billion m3.
He noted that the 140 dams will also add 3,800 MW of electricity to the country's electricity generation.
The official added that 6,500 villages are suffering "severe" drought.
He also noted that next Iranian fiscal year water supply value will increase by 50 rials, the national total of which will be used to construct facilities to cope with water shortage.