A major study by WaterAid, released on March 12, 2025, reveals dramatic shifts in flooding and drought patterns across the world’s 100 most populated cities, posing significant risks to urban populations and their access to clean water.
The report, titled Water and Climate: Rising Risks for Urban Populations, highlights the escalating global crisis of water-related disasters and their impact on communities worldwide.
The study, conducted in collaboration with academics from the University of Bristol and Cardiff University, combines 40 years of climate hazard data with social and water infrastructure vulnerabilities to identify cities most at risk.
Key findings show that 17 per cent of the studied cities are experiencing “climate whiplash”, facing intensification of both droughts and floods, while 20 per cent have seen a major shift from one extreme to the other.
Southern Asian cities emerge as regional wetting hotspots, with Colombo (Sri Lanka), Faisalabad (Pakistan), and Lahore (Pakistan) experiencing the most dramatic shifts from historically dry conditions to severe flood-prone states.
In contrast, European cities, including Madrid and Paris, are exhibiting significant drying trends.
The report identifies several cities as particularly vulnerable, including Khartoum (Sudan), Baghdad (Iraq), Surabaya (Indonesia), Nairobi (Kenya), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
These urban centres face heightened risks due to a combination of climate hazards and social and infrastructural vulnerabilities.
Tom Muller, WaterAid Australia’s Chief Executive, emphasises the urgent need for global action: “With 90 per cent of all climate disasters driven by too little or too much water, there is an urgent need for governments around the world to recognise the importance of investing in long-term plans to manage water resources and guarantee access to drinking water.”
The Pacific Islands, despite contributing less than 0.03 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, are among the most affected by climate change.
These island nations face challenges such as coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies, and more frequent severe cyclones.
WaterAid is calling for greater investment to tackle the water crisis, global leadership to accelerate action on water, and national government leadership to urgently deliver water plans.
The organisation emphasises the need to prioritise the most vulnerable communities, especially women and girls, in climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene plans.
As Australia grapples with the aftermath of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, this report serves as a stark reminder of the interconnected nature of climate change and water security.
The findings underscore the critical need for collaborative efforts between governments, multilateral banks, and the private sector to address these pressing challenges and ensure a safer, more resilient future for urban populations worldwide.
