Global water security is facing an unprecedented threat as changing climate patterns bring extreme droughts and floods. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released its State of Global Water Resources 2025 report, painting a grim picture of depleting water supplies and shrinking river flows across the globe.
Rivers Hit 35-Year Lows and Declining Storage
According to the WMO report, 2025 marked the driest year for global river flows in the past 35 years. Furthermore, terrestrial water storage has seen a continuous decline since 2014-2016. Roughly 36% of global river basins experienced below-normal river flows in 2025, continuing a seven-year trend of depressed river volumes. While historical baselines from 1991-2020 showed about 46% of basins in normal conditions, that figure shrank to just 34-38% between 2021 and 2025.
Groundwater Depletion and Risks for India
For India, the report highlights critical vulnerabilities concerning groundwater and total water storage. Parts of northern and north-western India recorded below-average water storage levels, signaling long-term groundwater depletion. Given that India's agriculture, drinking water systems, and industries heavily rely on groundwater, erratic monsoons and rising temperatures threaten severe scarcity in the future. Asia and Africa remained the hardest-hit continents by water-related hazards over the past five years.
Melting Glaciers and Rising Sea Levels
In 2025 alone, glaciers worldwide lost approximately 408 gigatons of ice, contributing 1.1 millimeters to global sea-level rise. This marks the fourth consecutive year of widespread ice mass loss. Himalayan glaciers are especially vital for South Asia, feeding major rivers like the Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra. Rapid melting initially increases the risk of flash floods, but ultimately leads to severe water scarcity during dry seasons.
This report is based on official data and findings from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 'The Freelance' presents these insights to highlight ongoing global environmental challenges. Courtesy: WMO / Respective Agencies.
National Desk, The Freelance
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