A new United Nations report, released on September 18, 2025, highlights the growing pressure on global water resources due to climate change.
Speaking from Geneva, Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, noted an increase in severe water-related events.
“From monsoon floods in Pakistan to flash floods in Bali and ongoing crises in South Sudan, these disasters are becoming more frequent and intense,” she said.
Record Heat Drives Extremes
The report, analyzing 2024 data, reveals it was the hottest year in 175 years, with global temperatures 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. Warmer air, holding more moisture, has triggered heavier rainfall and prolonged dry spells.
Severe droughts hit the Amazon Basin and southern Africa, while excessive rains soaked parts of central and eastern Africa, Asia, and Central Europe.
El Niño and Glacier Concerns
The intense El Niño of 2024 amplified these patterns, worsening droughts in some regions and flooding others. The report also flags rapid glacier melting, which threatens long-term water supplies.
Limited data on groundwater and water quality further complicates global efforts to manage these challenges effectively.
Urgent Call for Action
The UN stresses the need for immediate investment in better monitoring, data sharing, and early-warning systems. These tools are critical as water cycle disruptions in one area increasingly impact communities worldwide.
Saulo emphasized, “We must act now to address these trends, as their effects cross borders and demand global cooperation.”
Path Forward
With no end to extreme weather in sight, the report urges nations to prioritize solutions. Enhanced systems for tracking and predicting water-related events could save lives and reduce economic losses, fostering resilience in a warming world.
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