World's water cycle becoming more unpredictable, UN warns
Summary
The United Nations has warned that the global water cycle is becoming increasingly erratic, with rivers, glaciers and groundwater all showing worsening declines. The World Meteorological Organization says an intense El Nino could intensify drought and flooding risks worldwide.
Key Points
- The UN says the planet’s water cycle is swinging more sharply between too little and too much water, with an unprecedented El Nino expected to worsen conditions.
- The World Meteorological Organization reports that 2025 was among the driest years for rivers in over three decades and that glaciers shrank across all regions.
- Groundwater levels are declining in many parts of the world, while overall freshwater storage has continued a decade-long fall.
- WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo urged better shared data and early warnings, citing cross-border water risks and glacier disasters affecting countries like China and Nepal.
