Global warming is disrupting the Water Cycle, as shown by extreme floods and severe droughts in 2024, another year of record temperatures, according to the Global Water Monitor report released today.

The study involves an international team of researchers, led by Professor Albert Van Dijk of the Australian National University (ANU), who used data from thousands of ground and satellite stations, "which provide near-real-time information on important water variables such as precipitation, soil moisture, river flows and floods," according to a statement from the university releasing the report.

"We found that precipitation records are being broken with increasing regularity. For example, monthly total precipitation records were broken 27% more frequently in 2024 than at the beginning of this century, while daily precipitation records were broken 52% more frequently. Rainfall records were 38% more frequent," says Albert Van Dijk, quoted in the statement.

In 2024, about four billion people in 111 countries—half the world's population—experienced their hottest year yet.

According to Van Dijk, temperatures last year were 1,2 degrees Celsius (°C) higher than at the beginning of the century and about 2,2 °C higher than at the start of the Industrial Revolution.

Earth had its hottest year on record “for the fourth year in a row,” and the world’s worst water-related disasters, including flash floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, and landslides, killed more than 8.700 people, displaced 40 million, and caused more than $550 billion in damage.

"Rising sea surface temperatures have intensified tropical cyclones and droughts in the Amazon Basin and southern Africa. Global warming has also contributed to heavier rainfall and more violent storms, as evidenced by deadly flash floods in Europe, Asia, and Brazil," says Van Dijk.

In Afghanistan and Pakistan, torrential rains triggered flash floods that killed “more than 1.000 people,” while “catastrophic flooding in Brazil caused more than 80 deaths” and “in southern China, the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers flooded cities and towns, displacing tens of thousands of people and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in crop damage,” it states.

In August, heavy monsoon rains and dam bursts in Bangladesh caused widespread river flooding, affecting more than 5,8 million people and destroying at least one million tons of rice. In late October, a storm in the Valencia region of Spain and the subsequent flooding caused more than 200 deaths and enormous material damage.

The Global Water Monitor 2024 report notes that while some parts of the world have experienced major floods, others have experienced devastating droughts.

"In the Amazon Basin, one of Earth's most important ecosystems, rivers reached record levels, cutting off transportation routes and disrupting hydroelectric power generation. Wildfires caused by the hot, dry weather burned more than 52.000 square kilometers in September alone, releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases," Van Dijk notes.

Due to a severe drought in southern Africa, corn production was cut in half, 30 million people went hungry, and dry pastures forced livestock to be slaughtered, with reduced power generation leading to widespread blackouts.

Van Dijk warns of the trend of increasing intense flooding, prolonged droughts, and record-breaking extreme events.

"We need to prepare and adapt to more severe extreme weather events," he says, adding that it will be helpful to invest in stronger flood defenses, the development of more drought-resistant food production and water supplies, and better early warning systems.

“Water is our most essential resource and (…) floods and droughts are among the greatest threats we face,” he emphasizes.

The Global Water Monitor involves several public and private organizations, benefiting from collaboration between institutions around the world.

Picture: © DR