Published on 12 December 2023
Tititaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America, and is located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. The ongoing drought has significantly reduced the lake's water levels, impacting the entire local economy. Industries such as fishing, agriculture, and livestock farming are suffering in the region, and many of the usual navigation routes used by the indigenous population are now dry. Normally, the lake sits at an altitude of 3,812 metres above sea level. However, due to the severe drought conditions, its altitude dropped to 3,808 metres on 10 November.
In these images, acquired by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites in 2019 and 2023, the decrease in the water level of the lake during the last 4 years is clearly visible.
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites provide free and open data that can be used to monitor droughts and their impact on water bodies, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
Source:
Copernicus. (2023, December 12). Drought in Lake Titicaca, South America. Image of the Day.