Is there a shortage of water, besides this?

The Aral Sea, located in Uzbekistan and Kazakstan Once the world's fourth-largest inland saline body of water, the Aral Sea has been steadily shrinking since the 1960s, after the rivers Amu Darya and Syr Darya that fed it were diverted by Soviet Union irrigation projects. By 2004, the sea had shrunk to 25% of its original surface area, and a nearly fivefold increase in salinity had killed most of its natural flora and fauna. The once prosperous fishing industry has been virtually destroyed, and former fishing towns along the original shores have become ship graveyards.

Here are some photos: http://izismile.com/2009/08/12/dying_aral_sea_18_pics.html

Thank you ,disenchantedcitizen very interesting,

Lake Chad, once one of Africa's largest bodies of fresh water is disappearing too, due to climate change and the massive demand for water for irrigation.

Balkhash, the largest lake in Kazakhstan is also disappearing and scientists fear it may have already reached the point of no return and end up like the Aral.