Two-Thirds of River Basins Face Extreme Water Imbalance in 2024

In 2024, only one-third of the world's river basins maintained normal conditions, as climate change intensified extremes in the water cycle. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlighted that the previous year set temperature records, leading to substantial droughts and floods that significantly affected food security and human migration.

Key rivers, including the Amazon and Zambeze, experienced drastic reductions in flow, while regions like Africa's west coast faced severe flooding. The global glacier mass loss, amounting to 450 gigatons, exacerbates the situation, leaving approximately 3.6 billion people without adequate water access for at least a month each year.

The imbalance in river basins continues to grow, with two-thirds reporting either excess or insufficient water. To combat these challenges, experts urge governments to adopt proactive measures, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing water management systems, to better prepare for the unpredictable impacts of climate change on water resources.