2023 Marked the Driest Year for Global Rivers in Over Three Decades, UN Reports

The World Meteorological Organization highlights the alarming impact of climate change on water cycles, with a record loss of glacier mass and widespread droughts.

The World Meteorological Organization's report shows that 2023 was the hottest year on record, leading to unprecedented low river levels globally.
Glaciers feeding many rivers experienced their largest mass loss in 50 years, threatening long-term water security for millions.
Approximately 3.6 billion people face inadequate water access annually, a number projected to increase to 5 billion by 2050.
Regions including parts of North, Central, and South America, as well as major river basins like the Amazon and Mississippi, reported record-low water levels.
The report calls for improved data collection and sharing to better manage water resources and respond to climate-induced water scarcity.