In 2023, rivers dry up at the highest rate in three decades, putting global water supply at risk. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), river levels have been unusually low for the past five years. More than 50% of global river catchment areas showed abnormal conditions, with most being in deficit. Large regions in North, Central, and South America experienced severe droughts and low river levels.
In Asia and Oceania, major river basins such as the Ganges and Mekong saw below-normal water levels. Climate breakdown is altering water distribution, leading to extreme floods and droughts. The year 2023 was the hottest on record, exacerbating these conditions. While some countries faced droughts, others experienced devastating floods.
The WMO reports that the transition from La Niña to El Niño in 2023 further impacted global water systems. El Niño brings above-average sea-surface temperatures, while La Niña causes cooling. However, climate change is worsening the effects of these natural weather patterns, making predictions harder.
Regions hit by severe flooding included Africa’s east coast, the North Island of New Zealand, and the Philippines. Conversely, the UK, Ireland, Finland, and Sweden recorded above-normal water discharge levels. WMO Secretary General Celeste Saulo stated that water is “the canary in the coalmine of climate change.” Rising temperatures are accelerating the hydrological cycle, causing unpredictable rainfall and drought patterns.
The WMO highlights the severe toll on lives, ecosystems, and economies from extreme water conditions. Melting glaciers also contribute to the crisis. Glaciers worldwide lost more than 600 gigatonnes of water, the highest figure in 50 years. Switzerland’s Alps lost 10% of their remaining ice over the past two years.
Water shortages are already affecting 3.6 billion people globally, and this number is expected to rise. By 2050, more than 5 billion people could face water scarcity for at least one month a year. Saulo emphasized the need for better monitoring and cross-border collaboration to manage the world’s freshwater resources.
“Far too little is known about the true state of the world’s freshwater resources,” Saulo said. The WMO calls for urgent action to measure, monitor, and share data on water resources. Without this, the global water crisis will only worsen.