Urmia Lake Conditions Deplorable

Urmia Lake holds 1 billion cubic meters of water, which is 32 bcm lower compared to 1996 when it stored 33 bcm, an environment and water expert said.
“The lake is in its most deplorable condition and the impending disintegration of the lake’s unique ecosystem requires immediate attention to prevent its catastrophic socio-ecological repercussions,” Mohammad Darvish was also quoted as saying by the Energy Today's website.
Despite the rise in precipitation rate in most catchment areas, Urmia Lake Basin’s snow cover has decreased by 50%, falling from 85,000 square km to less than 43,000 square km, he added, noting that it is very likely that the lake will become completely dry in summer.