By Abbas Nazil
Global water systems suffered catastrophic impacts in 2024 due to climate extremes, causing widespread flooding, prolonged droughts, and economic losses exceeding $550 billion.
According to scientists, these events displaced 40 million people, killed over 8,700, and significantly disrupted ecosystems and livelihoods worldwide.
Last year marked the hottest year on record for the fourth consecutive time, with global air temperatures averaging 1.2ºC above the start of the century and 2.2ºC higher than pre-industrial levels.
These rising temperatures amplified water-related disasters, intensifying tropical cyclones, flash floods, and droughts, a report from the Australian National University (ANU) revealed.
ANU professor Albert van Dijk emphasized that these extremes are part of a worsening trend rather than isolated incidents. He noted that the global water cycle is being fundamentally altered by climate change, leading to more frequent and severe flooding and droughts.
“Water systems across the globe bore the brunt of this change,” he said, warning that such events are likely to become increasingly common.
The UAE experienced record rainfall in April, causing devastating flooding. Professor van Dijk stated that such downpours are becoming more probable due to warming seas, which increase atmospheric moisture.
Attribution studies suggest these events are twice as likely to occur because of climate change, particularly in coastal regions.
The research team utilized data from thousands of ground stations and Earth-orbiting satellites to monitor rainfall, soil moisture, river flows, and flooding in near real-time.
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Their findings revealed a stark rise in both record-high and record-low rainfall events. Monthly rainfall records occurred 27 percent more frequently in 2024 compared to the start of the century, while daily rainfall records surged by 52 percent.
Conversely, record-low rainfall events were 38 percent more common, highlighting worsening extremes on both ends of the spectrum.
Bangladesh faced catastrophic flooding in August, with heavy monsoon rains and dam releases affecting over 5.8 million people and destroying one million tonnes of rice.
Similarly, Spain experienced unprecedented flash floods in October, with more than 500 millimeters of rain falling in just eight hours, leading to widespread devastation. Brazil recorded over 300 millimeters of rainfall during a storm that claimed over 80 lives.
While flooding ravaged some regions, severe droughts plagued others. In the Amazon Basin, low river levels disrupted transport and hydropower generation while wildfires devastated 52,000 square kilometers in September, releasing substantial greenhouse gases. Southern Africa’s drought reduced maize production by more than 50%, leaving 30 million people facing acute food shortages.
These disruptions underscore the fragility of global water systems and their critical role in sustaining human life and ecosystems.
“Water is our most critical resource, and its extremes – both floods and droughts – are among the greatest threats we face,” Prof. van Dijk stated. He highlighted the urgent need to prepare for more severe climate impacts.
Adaptation measures, such as stronger flood defenses, drought-resilient agriculture, and improved early warning systems, are crucial, experts argue.
Without decisive action, the intensifying water crisis will continue to exacerbate food insecurity, displacement, and climate instability worldwide.
The report calls for global cooperation to mitigate climate change and build resilience against water-related disasters. Prof. van Dijk stressed that addressing these challenges is essential for safeguarding lives and livelihoods as the planet faces an increasingly uncertain climate future. END
