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Peru, Lake Titicaca In Emergency: 58 cm Lost

18/09/2023
2 minutes

In South America, the level of Lake Titicaca that has shallowed by 58 centimeters since April is causing concern. This process, according to the forecasts of the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology (SENAMHI), will last until December.

Shared between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca, the largest in South America, is located at 3,812 meters above sea level, making it the highest navigable basin in the world. It is 190 km long, 80 km wide, with total area more than 8000 sq. km.

“From April 1 to today, we have lost 58 centimeters. Last year the drop was 99 cm, one of the highest values recorded in history. This year we are at 58 cm, and moving forward we will probably get closer to the figure of 90 cm, which will be quite alarming,” explained Sixto Flores from the SENAMHI Regional Communications Network (RCR). “We studied the months from April to December, and the downward curve indicates that the decline will continue. In other words, Titicaca’s water level will keep gradually decreasing in the coming months until December.”

This is a major problem for all communities that live near the lake and depend on it for water supply and associated economic activities such as fishing and tourism. The city of Puno thrives on this, and in recent weeks low water has led to problems with embarkation/disembarkation of tourists who go to visit the islands of Amantani and Taquile.

This situation was caused by the lack of rainfall in the region, a phenomenon associated with El Niño, according to SENAMHI. “Precipitation was down about 50% last year due to coastal El Niño. A global El Niño is expected this year, and therefore precipitation may further decrease,” concluded Sixto Flores. The problem is exacerbated by above-average temperatures as they increase evaporation.

In addition to social and economic problems, falling lake levels are also a concern from an ecosystem conservation perspective, which is especially serious for regions such as the Andes that rely heavily on tourism.