Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 25 /Trend S. Isayev, T. Jafarov/
The water level in Lake Urmia has risen by about 25 centimeters, the director of Western Azarbaijan province Basic Studies of Water Resources' regional office, Mehrang Dusti Rezaei said, Mehr reported.
"Due to recent rains, the overall water level in Lake Urmia has risen by 25 cm, compared to November," he said.
He went on to say that the water level of 1270.86 cm was recorded in the Urmia lake, which is approximately a 25 cm increase.
Rezaei added though, that the water level is still 15 cm lower if compared to last year.
He expressed gratitude for the continued support and participation of farmers during rainfalls, and restoration projects that help keep Lake Urmia from drying.
The area of Lake Urmia is about 6000 square kilometers. The lake drying up has an impact on the flora and fauna of the region.
Illegal use of water flowing into the lake for watering by the rural population, construction of dams and illegal objects on its banks, is also among the problems of the lake.
Head of the Iranian West Azerbaijan Province's Environment Organization Hassan Abbasnejad said on Dec. 16 that Urmia Lake needs 3.1 billion cubic meters of water per year to survive.
Each liter of water in Lake Urmia contains 330 grams of salt. Previously, the figure stood at 160-170 grams per liter.
The Iranian government approved $900 million finance bill to save the lake from drought, but the process is being carried out slowly.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has allocated $135 million to Iran to resolve its environmental problems with shoaling at Lake Urmia. The Iranian government allocated $900 million for this purpose in September 2011.
A project to direct 600 million cubic meters of water from the River Araz into Lake Urmia was launched during a visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and members of the government to Tabriz in 2010.