Geneva, Switzerland - October 07, 2024

The year 2023 has been reported as the driest year in more than three decades for the rivers in the world, a report from the United Nations weather agency has said.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) held a press conference on Monday to release the State of Global Water Resources Report 2023.

According to the report, the record-hot temperatures in 2023 underpinned the drying up of water flows. South America witnessed the largest drought-influenced area in 33 years, with the water level of the Amazon River and Lake Titicaca, the largest freshwater lake in South America, reaching their lowest levels ever observed.

In addition, glaciers also suffered the largest loss of mass in 50 years, threatening the long-term water security of millions, said the report.

With rising temperatures, the global water cycle is accelerating and becomes more erratic and unpredictable, triggering an increasing number of floods and droughts worldwide, warned Celeste Saulo, secretary general of WMO.

According to WMO's estimation, 3.6 billion people around the world face water shortages for at least one month each year, and the number could rise to 5 billion by 2025.

WMO calls for global actions to monitor and share data on water resources, better assess the impacts of changing climate on water resources, and help member states and organizations take effective measures.

Shotlist:
Geneva, Switzerland - Oct 7, 2024:
1. Various of Palace of Nations, flags;
2. Press conference in progress;
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
"Water is becoming the most telling indicator of our climate's distress. Yet, as a global society, we are not taking bold action to protect this vital resource.";
4. Various of press conference in progress;
FILE: Gwanda, Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe - July 25, 2024
5. Drought-stricken land;
6. Various of cattle drinking;
State of Amazonas, Brazil - Recent
7. Various of abandoned fishing boats on dried-up waterway;
8. Cracked ground;
9. Beach;
FILE: Manaus, Brazil - Nov 3, 2023
10. Boat on water;
11. Exposed riverbed.

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