Which one of the following lakes of West Africa has become dry and turned into a desert?
Contents14
- ALake Victoria
- BLake Faguibine
- CLake Oguta
- DLake Volta
Show answer
Answer: (B) Lake Faguibine
The answer is (B) Lake Faguibine.
Lake Faguibine is in Mali (West Africa), west of Timbuktu.
It dried up completely in the 1970s due to severe droughts lasting about seven years.
Sand then filled the channels connecting it to the Niger River, so even when rains returned, water couldn't reach the lake.
It has been dry ever since.
Other options are wrong:
- Lake Victoria (A): Africa's largest lake, in East Africa — still very much exists
- Lake Oguta (C): A lake in Nigeria — still exists
- Lake Volta (D): One of the world's largest man-made lakes, in Ghana — still exists
Lake Faguibine in Mali completely dried up in the 1970s during severe droughts and remains a desert today because sand blocked its connection to the Niger River.
This question tests knowledge of West African geography specifically - three wrong options include lakes from other African regions or lakes that still exist.
UPSC is checking if students can distinguish between lakes that have disappeared versus lakes that still exist, and whether they know West African geography beyond just the major countries.
Lake Faguibine Desertification
Geography Lake Faguibine dry desert
Lake Faguibine: From Lake to Desert in Mali
Lake Faguibine in Mali completely dried up in the 1970s and remains desert today
Located west of Timbuktu in West Africa, connected to Niger River
Dried due to 7-year drought followed by sand filling connecting channels
What Happened
Lake Faguibine was once a significant lake in Mali, West Africa, located west of the historic city of Timbuktu. In the 1970s, severe droughts lasting approximately seven years caused the lake to dry up completely. When rains eventually returned, sand had already filled the channels connecting the lake to the Niger River, preventing water from reaching the former lake bed.
Current Status
The lake bed has turned into desert and remains dry today
Sand-filled channels prevent water flow even during good rainfall years
Represents a classic case of permanent desertification due to climate events
Location Context
Source: Testbook — Solved] Which one of the following lakes of West Africa has become d · testbook.com
Don't confuse with Lake Victoria (East Africa's largest lake, still exists)
West Africa is key - eliminates Lake Victoria which is in East Africa
The question asks for a lake that became desert - only Faguibine fits this description
Major Lakes of West Africa
Geography West Africa Lake Volta Lake Oguta
Key Lakes of West Africa: Natural vs Artificial
Lake Volta (Ghana) is one of world's largest artificial lakes
Only Lake Faguibine (Mali) has completely dried up
Lake Oguta (Nigeria) is a natural lake that still exists
West African Lakes Comparison
Lake | Country | Type | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Lake Volta | Ghana | Artificial (dam-created) | Active, world's largest by area |
Lake Oguta | Nigeria | Natural | Active |
Lake Faguibine | Mali | Natural (formerly) | Completely dried, now desert |
Lake Volta Significance
Created by Akosombo Dam on the Volta River
Covers approximately 8,500 square kilometers
Used for hydroelectric power generation and fishing
Lake Victoria is in East Africa (Uganda/Kenya/Tanzania), not West Africa
Lake Volta is artificial but very much active - hasn't dried up
All West African lakes except Faguibine still exist and function normally
Lake Victoria Characteristics
Geography Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria: Africa's Largest Lake
Lake Victoria is Africa's largest lake by surface area
Located in East Africa shared by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania
Source of the White Nile river
Location & Size
Lake Victoria is located in East Africa, shared between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. It covers approximately 68,800 square kilometers, making it the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.
Key Features
Acts as the source of the White Nile river system
Maximum depth of approximately 80 meters
Supports major fishing industry, especially Nile perch
Named after Queen Victoria by British explorer John Speke
Geographic Context
Source: Britannica — Lake Victoria | Size, Map, Countries, & Facts | Britannica · www.britannica.com
East vs West Africa: Victoria is in East Africa, question asks about West Africa
Still active: Lake Victoria is very much alive and functioning, not dried up
Don't confuse with Lake Chad which has shrunk significantly but hasn't completely dried
Desertification & Lake Drying
Geography dry turned into a desert
Lakes Turning to Desert: Causes & Examples
Extended droughts can permanently dry up lakes in arid regions
Sand infill can block water channels, preventing lake recovery
Sahel region particularly vulnerable to this process
How Lakes Become Deserts
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Extended Drought Period**
Severe water shortage lasting multiple years`"]
s2["`**Lake Water Evaporates**
Lake level drops dramatically, exposing lake bed`"]
s3["`**Wind Erosion & Sand Deposition**
Sand fills connecting channels and lake basin`"]
s4["`**Permanent Blockage**
Even when rains return, water cannot reach former lake`"]
s5["`**Complete Desertification**
Lake bed becomes permanent desert landscape`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Global Examples
Lake Faguibine (Mali) - completely dried in 1970s
Aral Sea (Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan) - drastically shrunk due to irrigation
Lake Chad (Central Africa) - reduced to 10% of original size
Lake Urmia (Iran) - significantly dried up in recent decades
Complete vs Partial: Question asks for lakes that became desert, not just shrunk
Geographic specificity: Must be in West Africa to match the question
Don't assume all dried lakes are in Africa - this is a global phenomenon