The global water cycle is becoming increasingly unstable, swinging from severe droughts to destructive floods, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The State of Global Water Resources 2024 report highlights growing pressure on freshwater sources and the cascading impacts of climate change on societies and economies.

Only one-third of river basins worldwide experienced "normal" conditions in 2024, marking the sixth consecutive year of imbalance. The Amazon Basin and southern Africa suffered severe drought, while central and eastern Africa, Central Europe, and parts of Asia faced wetter-than-average conditions.

“Water sustains our societies, powers our economies, and anchors our ecosystems. Yet the world’s water resources are under growing pressure, and extreme water-related hazards increasingly affect lives and livelihoods,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

Glaciers lost 450 gigatons of ice in 2024—the third consecutive year of widespread shrinkage—equivalent to 180 million Olympic swimming pools, contributing 1.2 millimeters to global sea levels and heightening risks for hundreds of millions in coastal zones.

Extreme weather events worsened the crisis: Africa’s tropical zone saw heavy rainfall that killed 2,500 people and displaced four million, Europe experienced its largest flooding since 2013, and Brazil faced catastrophic floods in the south alongside prolonged drought in the Amazon, affecting nearly 60% of its territory.

“Reliable, science-based information is more important than ever,” Saulo added. “Continued investment and enhanced data sharing are vital. Without data, we risk flying blind.”