• Despite improved data sharing among WMO member states, the report highlights critical gaps in global water monitoring, especially across Africa, South America, and Asia.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released its State of Global Water Resources 2024 report.

The report reveals that for the sixth consecutive year, the global hydrological cycle has veered off course, swinging between extremes that leave no region untouched.

In 2024, nearly 60% of rivers worldwide experienced either excessive flooding or extreme dryness. 

However, it is important to note that this is not a seasonal anomaly, but rather a systemic shift.

Soil moisture, groundwater reserves, and reservoirs all strayed significantly from historical norms, painting a picture of a planet struggling to balance its water ledger.

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Glaciers continued their downward spiral, losing mass for the third year in a row. Every glaciated region on Earth reported ice loss, feeding rising seas and threatening long-term water security for millions.

The Amazon Basin, often dubbed the lungs of the planet, faced its worst drought in decades, crippling ecosystems and livelihoods.

Moreover, Africa endured a double blow — flooding and drought, with East Africa caught in a cycle of erratic rainfall that defies prediction. 

Europe and Asia weren’t spared either, as flash floods and prolonged dry spells disrupted communities and economies alike.

According to WMO, two-thirds of rivers globally have shown abnormal water levels over the past six years.

The organization warns this trend “shows just how unpredictable and erratic the hydrological cycle has become.”

Despite improved data sharing among WMO member states, the report highlights critical gaps in global water monitoring, especially across Africa, South America, and Asia.

The call is clear: investments in water data infrastructure and early warning systems are no longer optional — they’re urgent.

At its core, the hydrological cycle is simple: water moves through the air, land, and oceans, constantly shifting between liquid, vapor, and ice. But in today’s climate, that cycle is no longer predictable. It’s volatile. And it’s reshaping the way we live.