Urmia Lake dried up

Urmia Lake, once one of the world’s largest saltwater lakes in Iran, has significantly dried up mainly due to human activities and climate factors. Overuse of water from the rivers feeding the lake for agriculture, industry, and urban needs has drastically reduced its inflow. Additionally, increased temperatures and reduced rainfall have worsened evaporation rates. As a result, the lake’s surface has shrunk dramatically, exposing salt flats and endangering local ecosystems and communities. This environmental decline highlights the impact of water management and climate change on natural resources.