ISTANBUL

Protests erupted in several cities of Iran’s Khuzestan province Thursday over water shortages which have been exacerbated by low rainfall and resource mismanagement. 

Demonstrations against the cutoff of drinking water were held in six cities of Khuzestan, according to local sources.

The protesters burnt tires in the streets in some cities and police intervened in the demonstrations.

Mostly Arabs live in the province, where temperatures can reach as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer.

Most of Iran has been hit by water shortages this year after a decrease in precipitation in the winter and spring left water levels low in most dams and reservoirs. Water mismanagement has contributed to the crisis.