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World Meteorological Organisation Releases ‘State of the Global Water Resources Report 2024’ Highlighting Severe Water Stress.

International | Dated: 22 Sep 2025

In September 2025, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released its State of the Global Water Resources Report 2024, warning of alarming global water imbalances. The report highlighted that only one-third of river basins recorded normal conditions, while the majority faced extreme water flows for the sixth consecutive year.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The year 2024 was reported as the hottest in the 175-year observational record, with global surface temperatures reaching 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, intensifying global water stress and climate-linked challenges.
  • - The findings showed that for the last six years, only around 33.3% of river catchment areas had normal discharge conditions compared to the 1991–2020 average, while about 60% of rivers experienced excessive or deficient flows, reflecting a worsening hydrological imbalance.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The report also confirmed 2024 as the third consecutive year of widespread glacier loss across all monitored regions, with 450 gigatons of ice lost—equivalent to a 7km x 7km x 7km block of ice or enough to fill 180 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
  • (ii) Looking ahead, UN Water projections warn that 3.6 billion people currently face inadequate water access at least one month per year, and this figure is expected to rise to over 5 billion by 2050, underscoring the urgency for global water governance and climate adaptation.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

In 2024, what percentage of the world's river basins experienced abnormal conditions?

Correct Answer: 66%

🚀 Quick Recap: