The United Nations' meteorological agency has reported that 2023 was the driest year for rivers worldwide in over three decades, exacerbated by unprecedented heat records. This situation has led to prolonged droughts in various regions, affecting millions globally.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) also revealed that glaciers, which feed many rivers, experienced their most significant mass loss in the past fifty years. The melting glaciers threaten long-term water security for millions of people. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the critical nature of water as an indicator of climate change, stating, 'Water is the canary in the coal mine of climate change.'
Inadequate access to water affects approximately 3.6 billion people for at least one month each year, a figure projected to rise to 5 billion by 2050. The WMO reported that 2023 was the hottest year on record, with summer temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere also reaching unprecedented levels.
Regions such as the southern United States, Central America, and parts of South America, including Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay, faced widespread drought conditions. The Mississippi River basin recorded its lowest flow levels to date, and half of the world experienced reduced river flows last year.
WMO officials warned that the extreme summer temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere could lead to continued low river flows in 2024, with many regions anticipating further water shortages. The diminishing water availability has impacted river navigation in Brazil and contributed to a food crisis in Zimbabwe and other parts of southern Africa this year.
The WMO has called for improved data collection and sharing to better understand the situation of water resources and to assist countries and populations in responding effectively.