GENEVA (Enmaeya News) — September 28, 2025
A new study indicated that only one-third of the world’s river basins are experiencing natural conditions in 2024, as the climate crisis has caused severe droughts and floods. Increasingly irregular water cycles are leading to food shortages, rising prices, conflicts, and climate-driven migration.
According to the State of Global Water Resources report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), last year marked the sixth consecutive year of erratic water cycles and the third year in which all glacial regions lost ice.
The report warned that increasingly irregular water cycles are creating major challenges for communities and governments, causing billions of dollars in damages.
Disruptions to natural water cycles have resulted in food scarcity, reduced crop production, and higher prices, with some severely affected regions experiencing tensions and migration.
Stefan Uhlenbrook, Director of Hydrology, Water, and Cryosphere at the WMO, said, “It has become a matter of survival for some regions.”
Scientists noted that while 2024 was generally hot and dry, with record-breaking temperatures driven by a warm El Niño event, it also saw massive floods.
Around 60% of rivers worldwide showed either extremely high or extremely low water levels compared to annual average flows.
As global warming raises temperatures, the atmosphere can hold more water, leading to longer droughts or more intense rainfall events.
Last year was the hottest on record globally, with an average surface temperature 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
According to the report, severe drought struck the Amazon basin, peaking between July and September, while drought conditions also affected parts of North America, Southeast Africa, and Mexico.
Europe, Russia, Pakistan, and northern India were among the regions hit by flooding, according to the WMO report.
In Africa, floods in the tropical region killed around 2,500 people and displaced 4 million others, causing extensive damage to critical infrastructure such as roads. Severe flooding also hit southern Brazil, while the Amazon region suffered drought.
Glacial rivers in all regions lost ice mass for the third consecutive year, with record losses in Scandinavia and northern Asia, equivalent to a 1.2-millimeter rise in sea level.
Uhlenbrook said, “Snow cover is disappearing in some areas, with peak melt occurring earlier. This significantly affects the environment, as wildlife and plants do not receive the water they need.”
Governments can take a variety of measures to reduce the impact of extreme water cycle fluctuations. These include rapidly cutting greenhouse gas emissions, improving water storage by building reservoirs, restoring wetlands that act as natural sponges, encouraging changes in farming practices to maximize water efficiency, and developing early warning systems.
The report warned that governments are falling short in addressing these issues. Lucy Parker, senior analyst at the UK Center for Environmental and Hydrological Science, said, “If we do not take proactive measures now, it will cost us more in the future.”
