The water cycle on Earth is oscillating between extremes. According to the most recent State of Global Water Resources report from the World Meteorological Organization, barely one-third of river basins saw “normal” conditions in 2024. The remaining ones fluctuated between dry and inundated, confirming a six-year trend of unpredictable flows. Glaciers are retreating as well: Last year, 450 gigatonnes of ice disappeared, causing the sea level to rise by 1.2 mm. Since the majority of small-glacier areas have already reached their “peak water” point, rivers will now get less water as the ice melts. The Indus, which supplies water to more than 240 million people in Pakistan, experienced an above-normal discharge in 2024. However, the excess is misleading.
It shows volatility rather than steadiness. Last year, flash floods caused by heavy spring rains destroyed villages and damaged crops. Flooding was once again triggered by this year’s intense monsoon rains, which also did little to stabilize supplies. Groundwater is still being pumped out more quickly than it can be refilled in the meantime. This instability is an existential hazard in a nation where agriculture uses more than 90% of the freshwater that is available. Additionally, the WMO affirms that 2024 was the warmest year on record. This is particularly........

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