"Middle East's Largest Lake Transforms Into Salt Flat, Surprising Experts"

Lake Urmia, once the largest lake in the Middle East, has largely transformed into a dry salt flat by autumn 2023, losing nearly 90% of its area since 1995. While it experienced a temporary resurgence in 2020 due to unusual rainfall, the lake has since dried out again. The shrinking lake has significant ecological and health implications, affecting wildlife habitats and air quality. The causes of its depletion, including climate, water usage, and dam construction, are still debated.