Nordovy Island, located in the Caspian Sea, may eventually merge with the mainland over time due to the continuous decline in water levels.
Sea-news.az reports that over the past five years, the water level of the Caspian Sea has been dropping by an average of 23 centimeters per year.
The shallowing is particularly pronounced in the northern section of the Caspian, where shallow waters predominate. In 2025, the sea level dropped by a record 29.4 centimeters.
Scientists believe that if the current rate of decline continues, the water level of the Caspian Sea could fall by an additional 4.5 meters within approximately 20 years. In that event, Nordovy Island would merge with the mainland and transform into a peninsula.
Experts highlight the reduced water inflow from the Volga River and intensified evaporation as the primary drivers behind the sea’s shallowing.
The declining Caspian Sea level is already taking a toll on the ecosystem, shrinking fish spawning grounds while posing operational risks to shipping and port infrastructure.
It should be noted that Nordovy is an uninhabited, wild island serving as a habitat for seabirds. Located in the Kizlyar Gulf in the western Caspian Sea, it falls administratively within the Republic of Dagestan, Russian Federation. The island measures 0.4 km in width and 2.2 km in length.
