MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The current water level in Lake Baikal in Siberia, the world’s largest freshwater lake, fell to a record low for the 21st century, expert papers obtained by RIA Novosti Tuesday revealed.
The current water level in the lake is 1 cm (0.4 inch) below the previous record, registered in 2003. The lowest level in history of observations was recorded in 1982.
Previously, the chief of the Russian Hydrometeorological center said the water levels in Baikal could fall below the line set as critically low by the Russian government if water flow does not change.
Local officials and meteorologists attribute the sharp water fall to environmental conditions and say snowmelt in the springtime will make the water levels rise again.
Lake Baikal, the deepest and oldest lake in the world, holds 20 percent of global freshwater resources, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
