The northern part of the Caspian Sea is much shallower than the southern part and is at risk of disappearing in the coming decades due to falling water levels, largely because Russia diverts large amounts of water from the Volga River.

Russia would suffer major negative consequences from a shrinking Caspian, including the collapse of maritime trade and fishing, environmental degradation (higher temperatures, sandstorms, pests), loss of coastal cities and infrastructure, and the disappearance of bases for its Caspian Flotilla.

The article argues that the five Caspian littoral states, especially Russia (which supplies 85% of the water via the Volga), must cooperate urgently to preserve the sea, as unilateral Russian water management is shortsighted and will ultimately harm Russia itself.

The northern segment of the Caspian is historically and geologically much shallower than the southern part, Rauf Mammadov says; and if as some environmental experts suggest the northern part will disappear and the southern silt up........

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