River flow from Bitlis turns Lake Van a deep reddish brown

Recent heavy rainfall and the melting of snow have caused the river in the Ahlat district, Bitlis, to swell, resulting in a muddy flow depositing into Lake Van and causing color shift.

With the snowmelt and ongoing rainfall in the region, the river’s water level has risen, leading to a change in the color of the water along the shores of Lake Van. The area near the Ahlat-Tatvan road, where the river meets the lake, has seen an increase in the river’s flow. The shift in color at the mouth of the river, caused by the current, was captured on video by a drone.

‘Color changed due to the current’

Yunus Nazli, a local resident, explained that the current has caused the water along the shores of Lake Van to turn brown. He remarked, “For the first time, we are witnessing this. The muddy river water has caused a change in the lake’s color. We tried to capture this sight on camera.”

This phenomenon, never before seen in the area, highlights the dynamic interaction between the river’s muddy flow and the vast waters of Lake Van. The dramatic change in color has caught the attention of residents and visitors alike.