The effects of climate change experienced in recent years have begun to be felt more frequently and severely in Turkey, as in the entire world. This change has manifested itself distinctly, especially in the Lake Van Basin, which is of critical importance in terms of water resources. Speaking to an IHA reporter on the subject, Prof. Dr. Alaeddinoğlu stated that insufficient precipitation and increased evaporation are threatening the lake ecosystem. Alaeddinoğlu said, “The insufficiency of precipitation and the intensity of evaporation have begun to manifest themselves much more clearly, especially in the last few years. Occasionally, for example as in 2024, when precipitation was relatively sufficient, minor recoveries occurred in the lake. However, 2025 was quite negative in this sense.”
Maps are changing on the eastern shores of the lake
Pointing out that the recession has reached up to 2-3 kilometers in the shallow areas where streams flow into the eastern part of Lake Van, Alaeddinoğlu said that this situation is now on a scale that can even be noticed on maps. Alaeddinoğlu stated, “We are observing small-scale but permanent changes in the eastern parts of the lake. The shape of Lake Van has begun to change noticeably on its eastern shores.”
“Dry periods have extended up to three months”
Alaeddinoğlu emphasized that dry periods that lasted one month in the past have now extended up to three months. Alaeddinoğlu said, “While the rainless period, called the ‘dry period’ in the basin in the past, lasted about 1 month, this period has gradually lengthened in recent years. This period, which first increased to 1.5 months, then to 2 months, reached 3 months in 2025. This made the recession in the lake much more evident.”
“Migratory cyclones are no longer effective”
Drawing attention to the disrupted precipitation regime in the Lake Van Basin, Alaeddinoğlu stated that migratory cyclones no longer bring regular rainfall. Alaeddinoğlu said, “These weather systems, which used to bring precipitation at regular intervals, now sometimes cannot affect the basin or leave no precipitation at all. This situation poses a serious threat to the lake ecosystem.”
“Time is running out to save Lake Van”
Alaeddinoğlu called for urgent measures to prevent Lake Van from entering an irreversible process due to factors such as climate change and unplanned water use. Prof. Dr. Alaeddinoğlu stated, “If similar weather patterns continue in the coming years, evaporation will increase even further. With rising temperatures, the loss of area in Lake Van will also continue. This could turn into not only an ecological but also a socioeconomic crisis.”
