State of global water resources report 2024

This report, published annually by the World Meteorological Organization, provides a comprehensive quantitative overview of global water resources, with a focus on hydrological variability and trends. The report is designed to support countries, decision makers and stakeholders in understanding the current state of water resources, identifying hotspots, and supporting effective water management strategies. The report contains:

• An assessment of global freshwater availability, including streamflow, lakes, groundwater, soil moisture, snow and ice, and combined terrestrial water storage.
• A review of key hydrological extreme events throughout the year such as floods and droughts.
• A comparative analysis of the current state with long-term hydrological normals, and an evaluation of the impact of climate variability and change on water resources and the hydrological cycle.

Notable high-impact hydrological events in 2024 include severe and widespread flood impacts across Africa, with heavy rainfall leading to more than 2500 deaths and 4 million people being displaced. Europe experienced its most extensive flooding since 2013, with one-third of the river network exceeding "high" flood thresholds, causing over 335 deaths and 18 billion euros (€) in economic losses. Asia and the Pacific were hit by record-breaking rainfall and tropical cyclones, including Typhoon Yagi and spring floods in Afghanistan, resulting in over 1000 deaths and widespread humanitarian crises across multiple countries. Brazil experienced simultaneous extremes, with catastrophic flooding in the south, combined with continued drought from 2023, which severely impacted the Amazon basin and 59% of the territory of the country.