2025 One of Driest Years for World’s Rivers, Study Finds

Rivers around the globe recorded one of the driest seasons in more than three decades, according to a 2025 assessment by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The study, which examined the global water cycle, found that the world’s “water savings bank” – the total volume of freshwater stored on the surface and underground, including groundwater, lakes, rivers, snow, ice, soil moisture and plant water – fell 42 percent below normal levels last year.

The WMO’s analysis highlights a dramatic contraction in the planet’s freshwater reserves. By measuring the combined storage of all major water bodies and terrestrial reservoirs, the organisation quantified a shortfall that could affect water availability for agriculture, industry and ecosystems. The 42 percent deficit underscores the severity of the 2025 drought and signals a continued trend of declining water stocks in many regions.

These findings underscore the urgency of global water management and conservation efforts. As the planet faces repeated droughts, maintaining and restoring the world’s water savings bank will be critical to ensuring sustainable water supplies for future generations.