Flamingos left when this lake dried up

Lake Urmia, the largest salt lake in Iran, has completely dried up, causing a significant environmental crisis. There are allegations that the Chinese are extracting minerals, such as lithium, from the lake bed. The decline of the lake has severe ecological and human health implications, affecting the habitat of waterbirds and increasing the likelihood of respiratory health impacts in the region. Experts suggest that excessive groundwater extraction and irrigation have contributed to the lake’s shrinking. The situation has worsened over the past 20 years, leading to a drastic decline in water levels. The decline in the lake’s water levels has drastically impacted its wildlife, particularly the flamingo population, which has dramatically decreased over the last 25 years. These developments have raised concerns about the ecological and environmental impacts of Lake Urmia’s depletion. Additionally, the decline in water levels has raised concerns about the potential impacts on human health, including air quality and respiratory issues among locals.