Iran’s Lake Urmia, Once One of the World’s Largest Salt Lakes, Completely Dries Up Amid Drought

Kokcha News Agency – Satellite images released by Iranian media show that Lake Urmia, once a vast saltwater lake, has completely dried up. The lake, which has been shrinking since 2003 due to prolonged drought, faced a similar crisis in 2013 when it was on the verge of disappearing entirely.

Efforts to revive the lake, including a $6 billion environmental project launched by the Tehran government, have failed to restore it to its former state. The project, which was one of the key promises of successive Iranian presidents, including Hassan Rouhani, has been unable to counteract the effects of ongoing drought in the region.

Environmental and Economic Impact
The drying up of Lake Urmia has had a devastating impact on the local population, many of whom rely on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods. The lake’s disappearance has also led to increased soil salinity, making farming more difficult and exacerbating economic hardships in the area.

Protests and Public Outcry
The lake’s decline has sparked periodic protests by locals demanding action to restore it. Despite these efforts, the combination of climate change, mismanagement of water resources, and prolonged drought has made it increasingly difficult to save the lake.