2023 was a record dry for rivers around the world. The rivers have dried up, and some regions were faced with protracted drought caused by the highest temperatures in the history of observations, reports The Washington Post, citing a report of the UN Meteorological Agency (WMO).
The WMO report states that the glaciers that feed the water flow have suffered the greatest weight loss over the past five decades, which threatens the long -term water stability for millions of people. The melting of ice has become one of the key factors for the instability of the hydrological cycle, which leads to uneven distribution of water resources and increased risk of droughts and floods.
Selesto Saulo Secretary General, emphasized that the temperature rise makes the hydrological cycle "more unstable and unpredictable." It warns that billions of people face a lack of water, and this problem will only exacerbate in the coming decades.
As of today, about 3.6 billion people are at least one month a year faced with restricted water access. It is expected that by 2050 this figure can grow to 5 billion. Most of the water is used in agriculture, which is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Some regions are already experiencing serious consequences of drought. South US, Central and South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay, faced the lowest fixed water levels. For example, the water level in the Amazon and Lake Titikak reached historical minimums, and the Mississippi River also suffered from significant ground.
Last year, half of the world faced the lack of water, which had a negative impact on navigation and food security in a number of regions. 2023 also became the hottest in the history of observations, and the summer this year is the hottest, which is concerned about the possible setting of a new temperature record in 2024.
WMO experts warn that arid conditions in many regions of the world will continue unless urgent measures are taken to combat climate change and maintain water resources.
