The climate crisis has negatively impacted the Van Lake Basin

The decrease in precipitation in the Lake Van Basin compared to last year and the increase in evaporation due to temperature caused a decrease in the level of dams, streams and water resources in the region, especially the lake.

As the shores of Lake Van in the Gevaş, Edremit, Erciş, and Muradiye districts continue to retreat, Akgöl and Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake), home to numerous bird species in the Özalp district, have completely dried up. This year's anticipated rainfall has not materialized, and the basin has also seen a decrease in the flow of some streams and water resources.

"FALLING RAIN DOES NOT REACH STREAMS AND LAKES"

Prof. Dr. Faruk Alaeddinoğlu, a faculty member in the Geography Department of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYU), Faculty of Letters, stated that the impact of climate change is being felt worldwide. He noted that the consequences of climate change will become more evident in the future, adding:

Lake Van is a closed basin and doesn't experience a consistent rainfall every year. Average annual rainfall in the basin is approximately 500 millimeters. Over a long period, this sometimes rises to 600 millimeters and sometimes drops to 400 millimeters. This year, we're experiencing a period of decreasing rainfall.

The fundamental problem isn't the decrease in precipitation, but evaporation due to rising temperatures. Because much of the precipitation evaporates into the atmosphere, it doesn't reach the ground sufficiently. It doesn't reach streams and lakes. Lakes are also disappearing as a result of evaporation.

"THE EXPECTED RAINS DID NOT HAPPEN"

Stating that the temperature in the basin is gradually rising, Alaeddinoğlu continued:

"Previously, when we thought of summer and dry season, we thought of July and August, but that's not the case anymore. Our dry season is getting longer. It starts in June and extends into September. Rainfall is mostly delayed into winter, or even spring. This actually disrupts the entire balance.

2024 was recorded as a very productive year in terms of rainfall. Unfortunately, 2025 was not the same; the expected rainfall did not occur. Compared to last year, there was a decrease in rainfall of approximately 100 millimeters, a significant loss.

"Lake Van will lose area over a long period of years."

Warning that drought-related scenarios will become more severe in the future, Alaeddinoğlu said, "Lake Van will lose area over the long term. You can see this much more clearly, especially in the shallow shores where the rivers flow into the lake. Drying shores indicate that the lake is losing area."