Victoria Falls, located along the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, which is one of southern Africa’s natural wonders. It’s the famous place that has probably seen in photos of the natural waterfall beautifully cascading in the middle of a lush landscape but unfortunately, Victoria Falls is almost unrecognizable at the moment due to a drought. It’s really popular for drought. Due to the climate crisis, Victoria Falls has completely dried up in many areas, leaving just a few trickles of water where there are usually cascading falls.
Before-and-after photos of Victoria Falls have been circulating the internet, comparing the falls in years past with the present day. As early as June 2019, the falls looked as lush as ever but this month, the walls of the waterfall are bone-dry.
Scroll down for pictures of the Victoria Falls in 1989 and in June 2019:
The above rocky walls should be covered with flowing water.
According to The Guardian, it is currently the dry season in the area, meaning it’s normal for Victoria Falls to dry up a bit however, it does not usually dry up this much. According to Zambezi River Authority data that The Guardian shared, Victoria Falls’ water flow is the lowest its been since 1995.
While the western hemisphere is just waking up to the problems at Victoria Falls, locals have been aware of the issue for months. Zambia’s President Edgar Chagwa Lungu actually tweeted about Victoria Falls in early October, asserting that this drought is due to the climate crisis.
These pictures of the Victoris Falls are a stark reminder of what climate change is doing to our environment and our livelihood.
It is with no doubt that developing countries like #Zambia are the most impacted by climate change and the least able to afford its consequences. pic.twitter.com/a6X0V2TrEQ— Edgar Chagwa Lungu (@EdgarCLungu) October 1, 2019
These pictures of the Victoria Falls are a stark reminder of what climate change is doing to our environment and our livelihood. It is no doubt that developing countries like Zambia are the most impacted by climate change and the least able to afford its consequences … We have no time to play politics with climate change. We must come together and provide solutions for mitigation and adaptation.
Not only is this drought bad for the climate, but it could also hurt Zambia’s economy and locals who work at or near Victoria Falls since fewer tourists will be inclined to visit the site. In previous years, when it gets dry, it’s not to this extent, Dominic Nyambe, who sells souvenir handicrafts near Victoria Falls, told The Guardian. This our first experience of seeing it like this. It affects people as well because clients can see on the internet We don’t have so many tourists.
Victoria Falls is not the only casualty in this drought there is also a clean water shortage for villagers and animals who live in the area, which is not mentioned. Because of the unsatisfactory water, children are developing diseases, a villager named Anna Nayunge told Sky News in a recent video interview. Increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause side effects such as rising global temperatures and different rainfall patterns and those hotter and drier conditions can cause droughts. To restore Victoria Falls to its former glory and to create healthier living conditions for those who live in the area we must continue working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as dictated by the Paris Agreement.
I am Sayantha Selvanathan, an International Business Management student from the University of West London (UWL) the UK and qualified in a higher national diploma in Business Management (SQA). I am also a freelance writer of web and business content. Gains passion in writing contents.
Also, I am a lover of cricket, dance & music. And my areas of abstrusest experience are in adventure travel & hobbies although I believe in my ability to write for any profession.
