The year 2024 saw another surge in unprecedented temperatures, pushing the global water cycle into extreme climate conditions, which led to severe floods and debilitating droughts, according to a new report from The Australian National University (ANU).
The 2024 Global Water Monitor Report, conducted by an international team under the guidance of ANU Professor Albert van Dijk, reveals that escalating temperatures are altering the dynamics of water distribution across the planet, significantly disrupting the water cycle.
“Increasing sea surface temperatures have intensified the occurrence of tropical cyclones and exacerbated droughts in regions like the Amazon Basin and southern Africa. Additionally, global warming has resulted in heavier rainfall and slower-moving storms, as seen in the deadly flash floods impacting Europe, Asia, and Brazil,” stated Professor van Dijk.
In 2024, around four billion individuals from 111 nations – which is half of the global population – faced their hottest year on record. Professor van Dijk noted that land temperatures in 2024 were 1.2 degrees Celsius above those at the beginning of this century and approximately 2.2 degrees Celsius higher than at the onset of the Industrial Revolution.
“In 2024, our planet recorded its hottest year on record for the fourth consecutive year, resulting in significant strain on water systems worldwide,” he expressed.
“This year was characterized by extremes, yet it is part of an alarming pattern of increasing intensity in floods, prolonged droughts, and unprecedented weather extremes.”
Some of the most devastating water-related calamities in 2024 included flash floods, riverine flooding, droughts, tropical cyclones, and landslides. These disasters claimed the lives of over 8,700 people, left 40 million displaced, and resulted in economic damages surpassing USD 550 billion.
“From historic droughts to catastrophic flooding, these extreme phenomena affect lives, livelihoods, and extensive ecosystems. Separate intense rainfall incidents led to widespread flash flooding in Afghanistan and Pakistan, resulting in more than 1,000 deaths,” Professor van Dijk mentioned.
“In Brazil, devastating floods accounted for over 80 fatalities, with the area experiencing more than 300 millimeters of rainfall.”
“We observed that record rainfall occurrences are becoming more frequent. In 2024, record-high monthly rainfall was noted 27 percent more frequently than in the early years of this century, while daily rainfall records increased by 52 percent. Conversely, record-low rainfalls were seen 38 percent more often, indicating severe extremes on both ends of the spectrum.”
“In southern China, flooding of the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers inundated cities and towns, displacing tens of thousands and causing significant crop damage amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.”
“In August, Bangladesh was hit by severe river flooding due to heavy monsoon rains and dam discharges, impacting over 5.8 million people and destroying at least a million tonnes of rice. Meanwhile, Spain faced deadly flash floods after receiving more than 500 millimeters of rain in just eight hours in late October.”
While some regions faced significant flooding in 2024, others suffered from crippling drought conditions.
“In the Amazon Basin, one of the planet’s vital ecosystems, record low river levels hindered transportation and disrupted hydropower generation. Furthermore, wildfires, exacerbated by heat and dryness, ravaged over 52,000 square kilometers in September, releasing considerable greenhouse gases,” Professor van Dijk remarked.
“Southern Africa experienced a harsh drought that slashed maize production by over 50 percent, leaving 30 million individuals confronting food scarcity. Farmers had to cull livestock due to desiccated pastures, and the drought diminished hydropower output, resulting in widespread blackouts.”
“We must prepare and adapt for a future that will inevitably face increasingly severe extreme events. This can involve enhancing flood defenses, creating more drought-resilient food systems and water supplies, and establishing better early warning systems.”
“Water is our most vital resource, and the extremes it faces—both floods and droughts—represent some of the most significant threats we encounter.”
Utilizing data from thousands of ground stations and satellites, the research team provides real-time insights into crucial water parameters such as rainfall, soil moisture, river flows, and flooding incidents.
The Global Water Monitor is a collaborative effort among institutions worldwide, encompassing various public and private entities.
The findings of the 2024 report are available on the Global Water Monitor website.
