Eastern Anatolia Region

The Akdamar Church, an 1,100-year-old Armenian church situated on Akdamar Island in Lake Van, hosted its 12th special mass on Sept. 8.

Scores of people from across the country and around the world flocked to the island in the eastern province of Van to attend this significant annual event, held on the second Sunday of September.

Nearly two decades after rabbits were introduced to Akdamar Island in Lake Van to boost tourism, their unchecked population continues to threaten the island's ecosystem and its historic Armenian church, despite previous efforts to control them.

Located between the provinces Bayburt and Erzurum in Türkiye's northeast, Kop Mountain is a natural gem renowned for its rich vegetation, endemic species and breathtaking beauty.

Reaching an altitude of 2,918 meters, the majestic peak offers a stark contrast between its snow-clad winter visage and the vibrant plant life that emerges in the summer.

The Turkish State Meteorological Service has announced that air temperatures will decrease, except for the Marmara region, and precipitation will occur across the country.

As Türkiye grapples with the cold wave coming from Iceland, the Turkish State Meteorological Service has warned of heavy snowfall in 23 out of all 81 provinces, with temperatures expected to plummet in the coming days and heavy rains to continue to lash coastal and southeastern regions of the country.

With the studies carried out by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, governorship and municipality, the historical Akdamar Island of the eastern province of Van and the historical church on it has been lit up and the island has attracted attention with its new appearance.

A messy mix of snow and rain wreaked havoc in parts of the country, as roads were closed to traffic in the province in the eastern and southeastern Anatolian region due to heavy snowfall and blizzards causing low visibility.

Transportation was severely disrupted in the provinces of Tunceli, Hakkari, Kars and Sivas, with some vehicles stranded on the roads.

Amidst escalating concerns about climate change, striking photographs captured at Lake Van in the Eastern Anatolian region have revealed the harsh reality of drought.

Global climate change and resulting droughts continue to affect Lake Van. The 3,712 square kilometer lake is the largest soda lake in the world and the largest lake in Türkiye.

Shepherd İbrahim Koç recalls his youth with fondness as he grazes cattle on a barren field that was once lush with vegetation on the edge of Türkiye's largest lake.

An occasional shrub marks the spots from where Lake Van has retreated over years of global heating and drought.

"The animals are thirsty," the 65-year-old lamented.

A group of divers have uncovered areas that bear traces of both a cemetery and a village at the bottom of Lake Van.

New ruins have been discovered at the bottom of the 3,712 square kilometer Lake Van, the country's largest saline soda lake.