Global water report reveals drying rivers and erratic swings between too little and too much
Rivers across the globe in 2025 had one of the driest years in more than three decades, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It shows a continuation of the long-term decline in Earth's freshwater storage and glacier retreat—trends with serious implications for people and economies in the future.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released a report revealing that rivers across the globe experienced one of the driest years in over three decades in 2025. This follows a long-term decline in Earth's freshwater storage and glacier retreat, which pose serious implications for people and economies. The WMO State of Global Water Resources Report indicates that the water cycle has become more erratic and unpredictable, with the past seven years witnessing the fewest rivers with normal flows since 1991.
Asia and Africa accounted for at least half of all recorded water-related extreme events and more than 80% of associated deaths over the past five years. The report emphasizes the need for shared data, standards, and early warning systems, as water respects no borders and a river basin's water balance depends on conditions in other countries.
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