The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has published its State of Global Water Resources 2024 report. It provides a comprehensive overview of the state of global water resources, highlights hydrological trends and supports decision-makers in sustainable water management.
The analysis makes it clear that the global water cycle is becoming increasingly unpredictable – 2024 was characterised by heat and drought, while at the same time many regions experienced severe flooding. Around 60% of rivers carried either significantly too much or too little water, and all regions with glaciers recorded ice loss.
German institutions such as the German Weather Service (DWD) and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) also contributed to the report. The WMO emphasises that, given the existing data gaps – particularly in Africa, South America and Asia – more investment in global water observation and open data exchange is urgently needed.
The full report is available on the WMO website.
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