Indigenous communities express concern over future as Lake Titicaca experiences drought alert

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An elderly man walks along the shoreline of Lake Titicaca, his feet sinking into the parched soil where boats once floated. Bolivian authorities report that the highest navigable lake in the world is experiencing dangerously low water levels due to an ongoing drought.

Jaime Mamani, a community leader in the farming town of Huarina, voices his concern, “It’s utterly dry”. The town is located 70 kilometers west of La Paz and has seen the dramatic receding of the lake’s shores.

An alert was recently issued by The National Service of Naval Hydrography after Lake Titicaca’s surface level fell 2 centimeters below the drought warning stage, or to 3,807.8 meters above sea level. The organization warns that this is only the beginning of a troubling situation, particularly for the Indigenous Aymara communities who depend on the lake for their livelihoods and are concerned about potential irreversible impacts on the region’s ecosystem.

The hydrology division of Bolivia’s navy warns of potential record-breaking low water levels in the coming months, predicting that by December, Lake Titicaca could fall 64 centimeters below the drought alert level, surpassing the previous low-water record set in 1998.

Carlos Carrasco, a hydraulic engineer for the hydrography service, adds that the water has already reduced by 30 centimeters in just three months and is likely to continue its downward trend.

This drought is attributed to a convergence of factors, including early onset and unusually intense El Niño and La Niña phenomena. These are exacerbated by climate change, says Lucía Walper, head of the Hydrological Forecasting Unit at Bolivia’s National Meteorology and Hydrology Service.

However, the shrinking lake poses significant challenges to the Aymara rural communities of the Bolivian highlands who have relied on the lake for generations to sustain their agriculture and livestock.

Similar concerns have been voiced by authorities in the Peruvian city of Puno, where the dwindling water levels also threaten tourism.

Juan José Ocola, president of the Binational Authority of Lake Titicaca, warned, “We’re approaching a critical juncture. We are facing a substantial water loss”. The lake serves as a boundary between Bolivia and Peru.

Local fisherman, Mateo Vargas, is also feeling the effects of the drought. Once catching an abundance of fish daily, Vargas now considers it fortunate if he can land six.

Justina Condori, Vargas’ wife, shares his worries and states, “The fish have disappeared,” predicting potential famine if the drought continues. Condori, who earns her livelihood by renting boats to tourists, fears that the dwindling lake will dissuade visitors.

Signs of the retreating lake are evident everywhere. Increased costs for ingredients are impacting the livelihoods of women who sell fried fish and snacks by the lake. Similarly, those who transport people across the lake have had to adjust their routes as the low water levels leave their usual docks unreachable.

Farmers who rely on the lake’s shore plants to feed their livestock are also feeling the impact of the dwindling water levels. The economic hardship has led to a mass migration from Huarina, with only the elderly residents remaining.

Vargas is deeply concerned about the future, saying, “It appears the water will continue to drop, day after day,” expressing his worry for the future of their children if the situation persists.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lake Titicaca Drought

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• Importance of Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Change Mitigation
• Impact of Droughts on Agriculture
• Tourism and Climate Change
• Lake Titicaca: Overview and Facts