Water level at Lake Titicaca on Peru-Bolivia border edging towards record low

The water level at Lake Titicaca on the Peru-Bolivia border is edging towards a record low.
The water level in this vast freshwater lake nestled in the Andes mountains.

Climate change is compounding the impact of the natural El Nino phenomenon.

Lake Titicaca, located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, is approaching a record low water level, with the situation worsened by the intensifying El Nino weather phenomenon predicted for the upcoming months.

The water level in this vast freshwater lake nestled in the Andes mountains has been steadily decreasing since April, averaging about 4 inches (10 cm) per month, as reported by Milagros Quispe, an engineer from Peru’s national meteorology and hydrology service, Senamhi.

The combination of severe drought conditions and abnormally high temperatures has caused the shoreline of Lake Titicaca to recede.

This iconic lake, which is not only South America’s largest but also the world’s highest navigable body of water, is currently only about 13 inches (33 cm) above its lowest recorded level in 1943.

The impact of this dual challenge of extreme dryness and heat has led to increased water evaporation, explained Quispe.

Over the past seven months, the lake has experienced a drop in water level of approximately 29 inches (74 cm), according to data from Senamhi.

Insufficient rainfall in the mountainous region has failed to stabilize the lake’s shoreline, further exacerbating the situation.

The El Nino phenomenon typically results in significant rainfall along the Pacific coast of Peru while leading to drought conditions in the highlands.

Peru’s climate study office recently raised the likelihood of a strong El Nino event beginning in December, which is a shift from their earlier forecast of moderate intensity.

Climate change is compounding the impact of the natural El Nino phenomenon, adding more heat to an already hot situation or more rainfall to an already waterlogged scenario.

Lake Titicaca has not been spared from these effects, with Quispe noting that “the lake’s basin and ecosystem have been modified due to global warming.”

To stay informed about current events, please like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BOLUrduNews/.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://bit.ly/3Tv8a3P to watch news from Pakistan and around the world.

Water level at Lake Titicaca on Peru-Bolivia border edging towards record low

Web Desk

Articles