New large lake forms in Bukhara region of Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A large water body has formed over the past six months in Uzbekistan’s Bukhara region, north of the Gazli settlement in Peshkun district. According to the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan, its emergence was caused by rainfall significantly exceeding the climatic norm.

The new lake appeared in the area known as “Shurbulak,” which was previously considered a dry zone. Its surface area is estimated at around 80 square kilometres.

The water body is reported to be significantly larger than the city of Bukhara and comparable to major hydrological assets in the country, including the Charvak Reservoir.

Specialists say the formation of the lake is linked not only to natural factors. As part of the Ministry of Water Resources’ programmes for developing fisheries in the region, canals were constructed to channel groundwater from surrounding areas into the basin.

The total length of the collector canal feeding the lake is about 126 kilometres. The additional inflow of water, combined with intense precipitation, led to rapid accumulation and the formation of the new water body.

Ecologists note that the emergence of such a large lake in a desert zone could have both positive and potentially risky consequences, including changes to the ecosystem and the regional water balance.