Context: According to the State of Global Water Resource report, the year 2023 marked the driest year for global rivers in over three decades.

About State of Global Water Resource report

• WMO (World Meteorological Organization) has recently released its first annual State of Global Water Resources Report 2023, it's a part of WMO's Global Climate series (1st published  in 2021).

• The State of Global Water Resources report series offers a comprehensive and consistent overview of water resources worldwide. 

• It is based on input from dozens of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and other organizations and experts. 

• Purpose: The report offers a global assessment of water resources, drawing on data from meteorological and hydrological services to inform decision-makers in water-sensitive sectors and disaster risk management.

• It complements the WMO's "State of the Global Climate" series.

Key facts of the report

• Consecutive Below-Normal Conditions: The last five years recorded below-normal river flows and reservoir inflows, stressing global water supplies.

• Glacier Mass Loss: Largest mass loss in five decades; 2023 marked the second consecutive year with glacier ice loss in all regions.

• 2023 Hottest Year: 2023 was the hottest year on record, contributing to droughts and significant floods.

• Hydrological Events: Influenced by the transition from La Niña to El Niño and human-induced climate change.

• Water as a Climate Indicator: WMO Secretary-General highlighted that water acts as a signal of climate change, with extreme events like floods and droughts.

• Hydrological Cycle: Rising temperatures accelerated the hydrological cycle, making water conditions more erratic and unpredictable.

• Data Deficiency: Lack of comprehensive data on global freshwater resources, requiring improved monitoring and data-sharing efforts.

• Global Water Report Goal: Seeks to improve monitoring, data-sharing, and cross-border collaboration on water resources.

• Water Scarcity: 3.6 billion people face water scarcity for at least a month per year, projected to increase to 5 billion by 2050.

• 2023 Hydrological Extremes: La Niña to El Niño transition and Indian Ocean Dipole impacted extreme weather in 2023.

• Floods Impact: Africa suffered most casualties; Libya’s dam collapses in September killed over 11,000 people.

• Droughts Impact: Southern USA, Central America, Argentina, and Brazil faced severe droughts, impacting the economy and water levels.

• River Discharge Trends: Over 50% of global river catchment areas experienced drier-than-normal conditions.

• Reservoir Inflows: Global reservoir inflows reflected below-normal conditions similar to river discharge patterns.

• Groundwater Levels: South Africa, India, and Australia experienced above-normal groundwater levels, while North America and Europe saw depletion.

• Soil Moisture: Below-normal levels across North America, South America, North Africa, and the Middle East during peak dry months.

• Snow Water Equivalent: Below-normal levels in Northern Hemisphere, especially Eurasia; North America saw higher-than-normal snow mass.

• Glacier Ice Loss: Over 600 Gigatonnes lost, the worst in 50 years, with Europe’s glaciers particularly affected.

• Water Data Expansion: Number of river discharge stations and groundwater wells significantly increased, improving hydrological data collection.

• Challenges in Data Collection: Africa, South America, and Asia remain underrepresented, requiring better hydrological monitoring in these regions.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

• The WMO traces its origins back to the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), established in 1873. The IMO served as a platform for the exchange of weather data and research.

• The WMO officially came into being through the World Meteorological Convention of 1947. This transformed the IMO into an intergovernmental organisation under the United Nations system.

• The WMO was formally established in 1950. It operates as a specialised agency of the United Nations, focusing on meteorology, climatology, hydrology, and related geophysical sciences.

• Currently, the WMO has 193 member states and territories. This broad membership underscores its global reach and importance in international cooperation on weather and climate issues.

• The primary goals of the WMO include promoting international cooperation on weather, climate, water, and related geophysical sciences. It also works on environmental protection, climate change mitigation, resource management, and socioeconomic development.

• The WMO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. From this central location, it coordinates global efforts in meteorology and related fields.

• The WMO is governed by the World Meteorological Congress, composed of representatives from member states. This congress meets every four years to set policies and priorities for the organization.

• The WMO plays a vital role in assessing and communicating the state of the global climate. It publishes annual reports that provide insights into climate trends, extreme weather events, and other relevant information.