Drying Up: Rivers around the World at Fastest Rate in 30 Years
The World Meteorological Organization’s Global Water Resources Report has highlighted concerning trends in river levels and reservoirs around the world. According to the report, the last five years have seen below-average river levels globally, with more than 50 percent of river basins experiencing unusual conditions in 2023.
Specifically, record low water levels were reported in major rivers such as the Amazon and Mississippi in North, Central, and South America, as well as in the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Mekong river basins in Asia and Oceania. The effects of climate change were evident in extreme droughts and floods, exacerbated by the transition from La Niña to El Niño in the middle of the year.
Areas such as the east coast of Africa, New Zealand’s North Island, and the Philippines were severely affected by floods, while above-normal water levels were recorded in Sweden, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. WMO Secretary General Celeste Saulo highlighted the importance of water as a leading indicator of climate change, noting that rising temperatures are accelerating the water cycle and making it more irregular.
Despite the critical role of water resources, 3.6 billion people currently lack access to sufficient water for at least one month a year, a number expected to exceed 5 billion by 2050. Additionally, the loss of 600 gigatons of water from glaciers in 2023 and the significant volume reduction in the Swiss Alps in the last two years underscore the urgency of addressing water scarcity issues.
Saulo emphasized the need for improved monitoring and data sharing on freshwater resources to better understand and manage the challenges posed by climate change. The findings of the report serve as a stark reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices to mitigate the impact of climate change on global water resources.
