2023-10-03 00:57:33
The level of Lake Titicaca, shared by Bolivia and Peru, reached its historic minimum this Monday due to the intense drought that the country is facing and which has an impact on crops. livestock and water reserves in cities.
The water station in Huatajata “presents a value of 2.92 (meters) and is seven centimeters below its minimum historical level,” which occurred in 1996, Jhon Chura, from the hydrology department, told the Spanish agency EFE. of the National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (Senamhi).
Chura indicated that the behavior that has been observed is of a decrease of 1 to 3 centimeters per week, so the level is the lowest since periodic controls began in 1984.
The changes have been noticed mainly in the “smaller lake”, since The water has moved considerably away from the shore in the southeastern parthe added.
Chura also mentioned that The drop in lake level has occurred since April, despite the fact that that time in the Bolivian highlands is a rainy season.
Lack of rain even during the rainy season
“Generally, increases are expected in mid-February, March and April because it is the rainy season (…) this has affected the descent of the lake and since there was no contribution (of precipitation) there has been a decrease,” Chura said.
The specialist mentioned that this situation might impact on fish farming activityso he considered that the relevant entities and scientists carry out “measurements” to establish if there have been “chemical changes”, as well as the levels of salinity or oxygen in those waters.
Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, at regarding 3,800 meters above sea level. in a total of more than 8,500 square kilometersand serves as natural border between Bolivia and Peru.
The desolate image of Lake Titicaca, a valuable natural heritage shared by Peru and Bolivia, is further evidence of how pollution and climate change continue to relentlessly affect our natural resources. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/0KUgobvHDA
— Lisandro J Macarrulla T (@lmacarrulla1) September 25, 2023
Bolivia is going through one of the most extreme droughts in recent years and, according to experts, the situation might be more dramatic since the country is just transitioning towards the El Niño phenomenon, characterized by lack of rain.
The Government reported that practically a third of the country’s 340 municipalities declared a disaster due to the lack of water that affects crops, livestock and water supplies for human consumption.
The Drought and rising temperatures have also accelerated the melting of glaciers of the Andes mountain range and might have consequences on the country’s food and hydroelectric security, according to experts.
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