WMO warns of critical decline in global freshwater reserves

freshwater depletion glacier melting water cycle instability WMO report global water crisis

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a warning regarding the critical decline of global freshwater reserves. According to the WMO's annual report, terrestrial water storage—including lakes, rivers, groundwater, ice, and snow—has been on a downward trend since approximately 2014–2016.

In 2025, the planet experienced one of its driest years for river flows in the last 35 years. While some regions like parts of South Asia saw excess water, more than one-third of global river basins experienced below-normal flows. Additionally, 42% of the world reported freshwater storage levels below historical norms in 2025.

Glacial melting remains a severe concern, with the WMO reporting that 1,400 gigatons of ice melted between 2023 and 2025. This loss represents roughly one-third of the total freshwater extracted globally in a single year. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo noted that the planet is effectively spending its 'savings account' of natural water buffers, warning that a single drought could now lead directly to a water crisis.

Furthermore, the global water cycle is becoming increasingly erratic due to fossil fuel pollution, leading to extreme swings between severe droughts and devastating floods. Approximately two-thirds of monitored groundwater wells are currently operating outside of historical norms.

Entities

Celeste Saulo · United Nations · Wayne Jenkinson · World Meteorological Organization

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] The global water cycle is becoming more erratic and unpredictable due to fossil fuel pollution. www.haber16.com · www.haberaktuel.com · abc17news.com · krdo.com · kesq.com · +3 more
[● 13 SOURCES] 2025 was one of the driest years for global rivers in the last 35 years. www.haber16.com · www.haberaktuel.com · abc17news.com · krdo.com · kesq.com · +8 more
[● 12 SOURCES] Freshwater stored on land has been declining globally since approximately 2016. www.haberaktuel.com · abc17news.com · krdo.com · kesq.com · kvia.com · +7 more
[● 8 SOURCES] In 2025, 42% of the world had freshwater storage levels below historical norms. www.haberaktuel.com · abc17news.com · krdo.com · kesq.com · kvia.com · +3 more
[● 10 SOURCES] Between 2023 and 2025, approximately 1,400 gigatons of glacier ice melted. www.haber16.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.informacion.es · abc17news.com · krdo.com · +5 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Approximately two-thirds of monitored groundwater wells are experiencing conditions outside historical norms. www.haber16.com · abc17news.com · krdo.com · kesq.com · kvia.com · +1 more