Kaieteur Falls, world's widest one-drop waterfall reduces to trickle, netizens express concern

Guyana: One of the world's most powerful waterfalls in Guyana, Kaieteur Falls, which was once a thunderous downpour, has now been reduced to a mere trickle. According to the reports, the water levels at the falls have changed significantly in recent days.

Last week, the waterfall was observed to once again experience a significant drop in water levels when there was very little water observed downpouring from the falls.

The observed changes in water levels and activity at the Kaieteur Falls can be due to various reasons with the netizens expressing their concern over the recent development.

The falls which is renowned as being the world's 'widest' one-drop waterfall boasts a height of 741 feet from the top to the first break and is four times higher than the Niagara Falls as well as 2 times higher than Victoria Falls. Located in the central Essequibo Territory, Guyana, this mammoth waterfall lies on the plateau known as the Guiana Shield, which is one of the oldest geological formations on Earth, over two billion years old.

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The falls hold a deep cultural significance for the indigenous Patamona people of Guyana, and its remote location has ensured that its beauty and history have been preserved. But the recent shortage of water is becoming a reason for concern. While some are stating that it is a temporary situation due to the weather changes, others are calling it 'strange' and 'rare'.

"I never heard of such an event at Kaiteur Falls," wrote a social media user named Sulsie Muchal, while another user said, "I was there in December and was very disappointed cos the falls wasn't flowing anyways its Mother's Nature next time when visiting hopefully it flows."

A user said that it is a normal situation and said, "Yes, but you all will get rain soon, and its beauty shall soon be restored. I want to go there if I am ever in Guyana."

"Dry season. Less water. So it's natural. Will roar again when the dry spell is over. Good time to divert the water and create a hydroelectric plant," said another.

A similar situation was observed at the falls in October 2023 because of the prolonged dry weather but in November, the downpouring became normal as usual.