Context:
Just around a third of rivers across the globe had water within the normal range in 2024 and almost 60 per cent of them either showed too much or too little water for the sixth year running, according to the ‘The Status of Global Water Resources in 2024 Report’ from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released.
Key Global Findings:
- River Flow:
- Only 1/3rd of global rivers had water within the normal range in 2024.
- Nearly 60% of rivers showed too much or too little water for the sixth consecutive year.
- Temperature & Climate:
- 2024 was the hottest year on record.
- Much of the world faced droughts, while other regions suffered devastating floods.
- Lakes:
- Surface temperatures were anomalously high.
- Nearly all of the 75 main lakes globally saw above-average water levels.
- Glaciers:
- Third straight year of widespread glacier loss.
- Many small-glacier regions nearing peak water point (maximum runoff, after which water availability declines due to shrinkage).
- Water Scarcity:
- 3.6 billion people currently face inadequate access to water for at least one month annually.
- Projected to rise to 5 billion by 2050 (UN estimate).
Regional Trends
- Wetter than normal: Kazakhstan, Southern Russia, Pakistan, Northern India, Southern Iran, North-Eastern China.
- Above/much-above normal river discharge: Ganges, Godavari, Indus basins.
- Middle East & Central Asia: Lake levels much below normal.
- South-East Asia: Typhoon Yagi among deadliest extreme events in 2024.
- Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan: Severe impacts from intense spring rains.
Key Messages from WMO
- Water under pressure: Growing demand, climate extremes, and ecosystem strain threaten global water security.
- Cascading impacts: Both too much water (floods) and too little water (droughts) are disrupting lives and livelihoods.
- Urgent Action Needed: Stronger global monitoring, improved data sharing, and adaptive water management policies.
