Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov published in the Instagram a photo of the Aral Sea, made during the flight.

"The Aral Sea is a former drainless salt lake located on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Until the 1960s it was considered the fourth largest lake in the world, but today the sea level is catastrophically low ..." - wrote Shkaplerov.

He noted that the Aral is traditionally referred to the sea due to its large size, as well as another reservoir - the Caspian Sea. Both the Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea are the remnants of the ancient ocean, the cosmonaut added.

The Aral Sea, which belonged to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, was one of the largest continental reservoirs in the world. Both the sea and the rivers that flowed into it (Amu and Syr Darya) had high ecological value. Very little remains of this wealth today.

The water level decreased by more than 20 meters, the coastline receded in places by 100 km. The former water area, 65,000 square meters. km - equal to the territory of Holland and Belgium combined, decreased by 70% and continues to decrease.

 

“The Qazaq Times”