Global Water Bankruptcy Warning has emerged after a new United Nations report revealed severe depletion of freshwater systems. The study said 6.1 billion people now live in countries with insecure water supplies. About four billion face extreme water scarcity for at least one month each year.
Cities increasingly face “Day Zero” threats. Tehran recently warned of possible evacuations due to shortages. Turkey has recorded nearly 700 sinkholes after groundwater collapse. The report also warned that drought may trigger migration across Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.
Experts said climate change worsens the crisis by raising water demand and reducing supply predictability. However, poor management plays a major role. Overuse of groundwater, deforestation, pollution, and land degradation have caused irreversible losses.
Half of the world relies on groundwater for daily needs. A quarter depends on lakes that have lost half their volume since the early 1990s. Water quality also continues to decline due to industrial waste and farm chemicals.
The report urged governments to track water resources globally and halt projects that damage supplies. Scientists warned that many systems may never recover.
The findings arrive ahead of preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Despite recent US withdrawals from UN agencies, officials said planning efforts continue.
