United Nations warns world water cycle becoming increasingly erratic
The United Nations warned on Thursday that the global water cycle is swinging between extremes as an unprecedented El Niño event looms.
Freshwater storage continues long decline
The World Meteorological Organization report shows Earth's freshwater storage has declined for a decade. This total includes groundwater, lakes, rivers, soil moisture, vegetation, and ice and snow. Last year was among the driest for world rivers in more than three decades.
Glaciers shrink while groundwater drops
In 2025 glaciers shrank in all regions even as groundwater levels fell in many parts of the world. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo expressed concern about depleting slow reserves like groundwater and glaciers. She stated these resources traditionally serve as a buffer against droughts or dry seasons.
El Nino expected to worsen trend
An unprecedented El Niño is expected to exacerbate the long-term erratic trend in the water cycle. Some elements of the cycle change rapidly responding to weather within days or weeks. Rapid changes include precipitation, river flow and soil moisture levels.
2 outlets, different leads
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Phys.org
World's water cycle becoming more unpredictable, UN warns
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Dawn
World’s water cycle swinging from one extreme to another: UN
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2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.