WMO Global Water Resources 2024: River Flow and Scarcity
Why in the news
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published its report on global water resources in 2024; most rivers were outside their normal range for the sixth year.
Global findings
| Theme | Finding |
|---|---|
| Rivers | 1/3 normal; nearly 60% too wet or too dry, sixth year running |
| Climate | Hottest year on record; droughts and devastating floods |
| Lakes | Unusually warm surface; nearly all 75 main lakes above-average levels |
| Glaciers | Third straight year of loss; small-glacier regions near peak water |
| Scarcity | 3.6 billion people short of water one month a year; 5 billion by 2050 |
Regional trends
- Wetter than normal: northern India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, southern Russia, southern Iran and north-eastern China.
- Above-normal discharge: Ganges, Godavari, Indus basins.
- Middle East and Central Asia lakes well below normal; Typhoon Yagi among 2024’s deadliest events.
WMO message
Water faces growing pressure; the world needs better monitoring, data sharing and adaptive management.
Exam angle
- Publisher: WMO; term: peak water.