Lake Rusanda vanishes in historic Serbian heatwave
Lake Rusanda has disappeared. Water and mud from the lake were used for medicinal purposes for centuries. "First, the lake turned into a marsh, then even the mud disappeared," said 72-year-old Sava, who lives near Rusanda.
Due to unusually high temperatures, the largest saltwater lake in Serbia, whose water and mud have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, has completely dried up. Reuters reported on Wednesday that such an event has occurred for the first time in history.
Exceptionally long heatwave in Serbia
Serbian meteorologist Vladimir Dziurdziević from Belgrade explains that the country faces an exceptional weather phenomenon—a heatwave characterized by its length and intensity. For over a week, authorities have been urging residents to exercise extreme caution and stay indoors as much as possible. In some countries, red weather alerts have been issued, and North Macedonia is battling numerous forest fires.
The result of the heatwave is the drying up of Lake Rusanda, located in northern Serbia. This largest saltwater lake in the country had a salinity reaching 60%, which surpassed seawater salinity. Since the 19th century, mud from Rusanda has been used in medicine, primarily for treating muscle inflammation, rheumatism, and injuries mainly caused by car accidents.
Sava, the 72-year-old resident, recounts how the lake first turned into a marsh, and eventually, even the mud disappeared. Photos shared online show the dried-up lakebed and occasional puddles – remnants of the salty water.
