Van Lake Recedes, Revealing Ancient Road and Raising Safety Concerns in Türkiye
As water levels in Van Lake drop significantly, a historic 1-kilometer road to Ktouts Monastery on Çarpanak Island has been exposed. Tuşba Municipality has issued warnings and posted bilingual signs after past drowning incidents, urging visitors to avoid the dangerous, current-prone path.
Official Warnings and Safety Measures
Tuşba Municipality's Property and Expropriation Unit Manager, Burak Işık (45), confirmed the proactive steps being taken. He stated that municipal teams are continuously monitoring risky zones along the lake, including the newly exposed structure. "Following the lake's withdrawal, the ancient road on Çarpanak Island has emerged," Işık said. "As a municipality, we have posted bilingual warning signs in this area, at the Mollakasım Blue Flag beach, and other risky points." He emphasized that despite the visually striking scene, the location is perilous due to strong underwater currents.
A Dangerous Attraction
Işık highlighted that the site has become a dangerous attraction, partly fueled by social media exposure. "The ancient road, revealed by the receding lake, has become a center of attraction. Citizens from outside the province come to see this view and the church," he explained. However, he cautioned, "The crucial point to know is that this road is genuinely very dangerous. People can lose their balance and fall into the water. There have been drowning incidents here in the past." He strongly urged visitors to heed the posted warnings and avoid walking on the submerged path.
A Plea to the Public: "Do Not Walk on the Ancient Road"
Işık elaborated on the municipality's broader safety campaign, noting that warning signs have been placed in all of Van Lake's identified risk zones. "We plan to update these measures and continue working in coordination with relevant institutions," he stated. His direct appeal to the community was clear: "We request our citizens to heed these warning signs and, importantly, to not allow children to walk on the ancient road unsupervised. Ultimately, every life saved is a success for us."
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Ongoing Vigilance
The municipality's efforts are not limited to the summer season. Işık confirmed that enforcement teams are maintaining a constant presence, conducting inspections and keeping watch in the area to ensure public safety. The primary message from officials remains clear: the ancient road is off-limits. The community is being called upon to prioritize personal safety over the temptation to explore the hazardous, yet historically significant, site.
The dramatic recession of water in Van Lake, Türkiye's largest lake, has uncovered a centuries-old historical artifact: a nearly 1-kilometer-long ancient road leading to the Ktouts Monastery on Çarpanak Island. While the emergence offers a unique view into the past, local authorities in Van are sounding the alarm over serious safety risks. Tuşba Municipality has responded by installing Turkish-Kurdish warning signs and increasing patrols to prevent potential drowning accidents in the area.
Official Warnings and Safety Measures
Tuşba Municipality's Property and Expropriation Unit Manager, Burak Işık (45), confirmed the proactive steps being taken. He stated that municipal teams are continuously monitoring risky zones along the lake, including the newly exposed structure. "Following the lake's withdrawal, the ancient road on Çarpanak Island has emerged," Işık said. "As a municipality, we have posted bilingual warning signs in this area, at the Mollakasım Blue Flag beach, and other risky points." He emphasized that despite the visually striking scene, the location is perilous due to strong underwater currents.
A Dangerous Attraction
Işık highlighted that the site has become a dangerous attraction, partly fueled by social media exposure. "The ancient road, revealed by the receding lake, has become a center of attraction. Citizens from outside the province come to see this view and the church," he explained. However, he cautioned, "The crucial point to know is that this road is genuinely very dangerous. People can lose their balance and fall into the water. There have been drowning incidents here in the past." He strongly urged visitors to heed the posted warnings and avoid walking on the submerged path.
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A Plea to the Public: "Do Not Walk on the Ancient Road"
Işık elaborated on the municipality's broader safety campaign, noting that warning signs have been placed in all of Van Lake's identified risk zones. "We plan to update these measures and continue working in coordination with relevant institutions," he stated. His direct appeal to the community was clear: "We request our citizens to heed these warning signs and, importantly, to not allow children to walk on the ancient road unsupervised. Ultimately, every life saved is a success for us."
Ongoing Vigilance
The municipality's efforts are not limited to the summer season. Işık confirmed that enforcement teams are maintaining a constant presence, conducting inspections and keeping watch in the area to ensure public safety. The primary message from officials remains clear: the ancient road is off-limits. The community is being called upon to prioritize personal safety over the temptation to explore the hazardous, yet historically significant, site.
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