World Meteorological Organization reports record low global river levels

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported that global river levels reached their lowest point in over 30 years in 2025. This unprecedented drought level reflects a decade-long decline in freshwater reserves, including groundwater, lakes, ice, snow, and vegetation.

According to the WMO report, more than one-third of the world's river basins are experiencing flows below normal. While some regions, such as parts of South Asia, have seen excessive water, the overall trend indicates increasing hydrological instability. For the fourth consecutive year, all 19 major glacial regions worldwide have lost mass, with glacier melt contributing approximately 400 gigatonnes to sea-level rise in 2025 alone.

The depletion of these reserves is described as the exhaustion of a planetary ‘savings account’ that protects against extreme dry years. The instability is characterized by rapid shifts between severe droughts and extreme flooding, making water management increasingly difficult.