Aral Sea collapse and revival: World's greatest environmental disasters

In 1960, the Aral Sea was among the largest lakes globally, spanning Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Soviet planners diverted the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for cotton irrigation, cutting off freshwater inflow.

By 2001, the lake had split into a northern and southern sea, with the southern portion further dividing into eastern and western lobes.

A modest dam brought part of the Aral Sea back to life faster than predicted through a restoration effort.