Drought alert again in Lake Ulaş
Lake Ulaş, a stopover point for migratory birds in the Ulaş district of Sivas province, began sounding drought alerts again at the beginning of this month. As the lake's water receded, the adjacent wetland also dried up completely.
Located in the Ulaş district center and declared a "Wetland of National Importance" in 2016, Lake Ulaş is home to a variety of bird species, including the endangered common pochard, as well as coots, mallards, ruddy shelducks, stilts, and flamingos. Last year, the lake, which signaled drought due to lower water levels, returned to normal with spring rainfall. This year, thanks to abundant rainfall, the lake reached full capacity again in spring, bringing joy to district residents. Along with the lake, the surrounding wetlands used as breeding grounds by migratory birds also filled with water. Migratory birds, especially flamingos, were observed arriving in the region in May.
The lake, which returned to its normal appearance with snowfalls and subsequent spring rains, was observed to have begun to recede again due to the effects of the heat and dwindling water resources. As the water receded approximately 100 meters from the shoreline on the district center side of the lake, deep cracks appeared in the ground. The wetland adjacent to the lake, used primarily by flamingos, also completely dried up, leaving a white deposit. Flamingos were also observed leaving the area due to the drying of the wetland and the decrease in water levels.
The sudden receding of the lake, observed just in early summer, has raised the threat of drought. Aerial images taken of the same area 40 days apart have also highlighted the danger. The swamp-like appearance of the lake's edge has led to an increase in the fly population and a decrease in visitors.
It is thought that the decrease in rainfall, the decrease in spring waters and agricultural irrigation activities are effective in the withdrawal of lake water.
BirGün
