Grim Water Cycle Outlook: 2025 Faces Increased Drought and Flood Risks

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A recent report from the Global Water Monitor (GWM) predicts worsening extremes in water resources by 2025, with potential droughts intensifying across regions including northern South America and southern Africa. According to lead author Professor Albert van Dijk, the hotter climate of 2024 greatly impacted the Earth’s water cycle, leading to record rainfall and subsequent flooding, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan, resulting in over 1,000 deaths.

In 2024 alone, water-related disasters caused more than 8,700 fatalities globally, displacing 40 million people and inflicting economic losses above USD 550 billion. The report highlights a troubling trend, with extremely dry months increasing by 38% compared to the 1995-2005 average, alongside a 52% rise in extreme precipitation events. It emphasizes the urgent need for stronger flood defenses and drought-resilient food production.

Van Dijk underlines the reality that "water is our most critical resource," urging preparations for more severe weather events in the future. The findings starkly illustrate alarming challenges ahead as the world grapples with the impacts of climate change on essential water supplies.

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