Climate shock as Victoria Falls DRY UP: Iconic waterfalls normally so powerful they can be heard eight miles away are reduced to a trickle by lowest flow in 25 years
- Victoria Falls, which lies between Zambia and Zimbabwe, have almost completely dried up after the drought
- The once powerful stream of foamy wash which roared through the gorge has almost completely vanished
- Instead, a few tiny pools of water collect below the rock face after water levels plummeted by 50 per cent
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One of the world’s most iconic waterfalls have been reduced to a pathetic trickle after being starved by the drought that is crippling southern Africa.
Victoria Falls, which lies between Zambia and Zimbabwe, have almost completely dried up and the once deafening stream of foamy wash which roared through the gorge has nearly vanished.
Instead, a few tiny pools of water collect below the rock face after water levels plummeted by 50 per cent to hit the lowest slump in 40 years.
Climate change has been blamed for the dramatic change in landscape, with Zambia’s President making a direct plea to Western states to clean up their act on environmental protection.
Devastating before-and-after pictures lay bare the crisis facing the natural world in the region – vibrant greenery has been ushered away and replaced by brown, ashen grasslands.
In an intervention geared to stop the crisis spiralling further, Zambian President Edgar Lungu spelled out the damage being done by global warming
He told Sky News: It’s [climate change] a serious problem, a genuine one. And it is surprising when people trivialise it and say ‘climate change is not real’.
Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most iconic waterfalls have been reduced to a pathetic trickle after being starved by the drought that is crippling southern Africa
The falls have almost completely dried up and the once powerful stream of foamy wash which roared through the gorge (pictured) has completely vanished
‘Probably they’re living in a different world. But this world we live in, Zambia, we are feeling the effects of climate change really adversely. And it is impacting on everyone.’
But the local tourism board has rubbished the President’s view and dismissed concerns that the future existence of the waterfall is in jeopardy.
It said: ‘It’s normal to have low water this time of the year but the falls will never dry in our lifetime. We haven’t had as much water as we have had in the past years but it’s not dry.’
Standing at 355ft high, the impressive natural landmark draws thousands of tourists each year and generates much-needed business to the area.
Yet as well as risking the local economy, the drought also throws into chaos the wildlife living in the surrounding national parks.
Almost eight million people in Zimbabwe are now believed to be reliant on food packages from overseas aid providers, and species conservation projects have been ramped up.
Instead, a few tiny pools of water collect below the rock face after water levels plummeted by 50 per cent to hit the lowest slump in 40 years
Devastating before-and-after pictures lay bare the crisis facing the natural world in the region – vibrant greenery has been ushered away and replaced by brown, ashen grasslands