More than two million people face severe water shortages

 (Prensa Latina) More than two million people face severe water shortages and a similar number have been affected by floods in the last 20 years, challenges that might increase, it was reported

In a statement, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on the difficult water situation in the coming years due to climate change, population growth and increased economic activity.

The United Nations Organization estimated that there could be a gap of the 40% between global water supply and the demand by 2030, while experts put the costs of drought at 8 billion dollars per year due to losses in agriculture and related businesses.

Damages caused by floods amount to 80 billion dollars annually, it pointed out, while the WMO highlighted the importance of its HydroSOS initiative, which will enable communities to better adapt to the changing water cycle.

Coordinated by the Center for Ecology and Hydrology, UK (UKCEH), it will provide regular data on the status of the water resources, including groundwater levels, river flows, reservoirs, lakes and soil moisture in local catchments.

The system will also evaluate if these conditions are normal for the season of the year and will forecast if there is likely that the situation improves or worsens in the coming weeks and months, according to the WMO.