The biggest threat to Victoria Falls, located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is the increasing frequency of severe droughts driven by climate change. As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the falls rely entirely on the flow of the Zambezi River. In recent years, particularly in 2019 and 2024, the water levels dropped to record lows, reducing the "Smoke that Thunders" to a mere trickle in several sections, especially on the Zambian side. This not only threatens the $1 billion local tourism industry but also the delicate ecosystem that depends on the mist and moisture generated by the falls. Additionally, upstream hydroelectric dams and increased water abstraction for agriculture in the surrounding basin put further pressure on the river's flow. While the falls naturally fluctuate between the wet and dry seasons, the "extreme" nature of recent dry spells has sparked international concern that the falls could eventually become a seasonal rather than year-round attraction, fundamentally altering the geography and economy of the entire Southern African region.