20.07.2024 15:20
With the increase in temperatures in Van, 19 people have lost their lives by drowning in the lake, ponds, rivers, and irrigation canals. Experts drawing attention to the currents in Lake Van are calling for an increase in the number of safe beaches around the lake. Meanwhile, in the photo contest organized by NASA, the winning photo of Lake Van taken from space by Astronaut Kate Rubins also shows a whirlpool in the lake.
This year, 19 people drowned while trying to cool off in lakes, ponds, rivers, and irrigation canals in Van. Experts drew attention to the main current systems in Lake Van and warned the public.
Dr. Mustafa Akkuş, a faculty member at the Fisheries Faculty of YYU, explained that Lake Van has a surface area of 3,712 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 461 meters, making it a very large ecosystem. He stated that there are 5 main current systems in the lake, saying, "One of them is a current that rotates counterclockwise in Tatvan Bay. There is a southward current in Van Gulf. Another current system is the currents in the region named Çarpanak Island and Erciş Gulf, which are located further north of the lake. Erciş Gulf, together with Çarpanak Island, actually constitutes the most active direction in terms of currents. Because the largest rivers flowing into Lake Van are located here. With the effect of these rivers, there are 3 current systems here. Therefore, depending on the season and the wind, these currents create large currents in the lake, both at the bottom and on the surface, like a river."
"SAFE BEACHES SHOULD BE INCREASED" Dr. Akkuş emphasized that Lake Van especially contains currents of various sizes and stated that more caution should be exercised in this regard. Dr. Akkuş said, "Especially during windy periods, these currents become more intense. With the warming weather, people naturally want to swim in Lake Van. At this point, we need to increase the number of beaches around Lake Van where people can enter safely. There will be markers showing how far people should go when they enter the lake. In addition, there should be lifeguards at every beach."
VORTEX IN LAKE VAN CAPTURED IN AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPH FROM SPACE In the 'World Tournament' online photo contest organized by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2021, the photograph of Lake Van taken from space by Astronaut Kate Rubins, which received the majority of votes and won first place, also shows the main currents in the lake. Dr. Akkuş, stating that the photograph shows the Erciş side of the lake, said, "Actually, this photograph clearly reveals the strong currents in Lake Van. Here, the Zilan, Deliçay, and Bendimahi streams flowing into the lake create a very large vortex in the Erciş Gulf of Lake Van. With the influx of fresh water, we see that a very strong current is formed in the opposite direction of the clockwise direction in the lake, which is rich in bicarbonates. When we pass to the peninsula, we see that there is also a current in the clockwise direction. As we approach Çarpanak Island, we see that small-scale currents occur. These currents take you from the shore towards the open sea. When we reach the Çarpanak Island side, we witness that the depth of the lake increases suddenly. Here, the depth increases rapidly," he said.