The global water cycle has become increasingly erratic and extreme, swinging between deluge and drought, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The global water cycle has become increasingly erratic and extreme, swinging between deluge and drought, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
State of Global Water Resources 2024 is an authoritative annual assessment of river flows, reservoirs, lakes, groundwater, soil moisture, snow and ice. It drew on data and insights provided by institutes involved in meteorological or hydrological science and monitoring across the world including the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH).
The annual report notes there were wetter-than-normal conditions in central, western and eastern Africa as well as parts of Asia and Central Europe, while southern Africa and parts of South America were gripped by severe drought in 2024, the hottest year on record. Brazil experienced simultaneous extremes, with catastrophic flooding in the south taking 183 lives and the continuation of the 2023 drought in the Amazon basin.
Read More: UK Centre for ecology & Hydrology
