IRNA � Water level of Iran's Orumiyeh Lake, the largest in the Middle East region, has risen by about 33 centimeters compared with the same time in the preceding year, secretary of the headquarters in charge of activities to save the lake Farhad Sarkhosh announced.

Sarkhosh told IRNA on Sunday that the increase which came despite low rainfall indicates the success of programs undertaken so far.

He further said the 8th national committee meeting on saving Orumiyeh Lake, internationally known as Lake Urmia, is to be held here on Monday with participation of the First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri and members of the committee.

The Monday meeting is to discuss the latest situation of a plan on revival of the Orumiyeh Lake, he noted.

Orumiyeh Lake, the world's sixth largest saltwater lake, has been facing drought crisis since past two decades. Only about 10 percent of it has remained.

Efforts to attract the international and national attention to the Orumiyeh Lake are not new. Many senior officials in the country including President Hassan Rouhani, parliamentarians as well as popular social figures and artists like the famous actor Reza Kianian and also Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio have made this environmental question as part of their advocacy.