Satellite images show 10 places where water is disappearing globally

Satellite images reveal 10 places where water is disappearing globally, highlighting a pattern of continental drying that erodes freshwater reserves worth about 324 trillion litres (85.6 trillion gallons) each year. The World Bank's 2025 estimate suggests this loss could meet the needs of roughly 280 million people annually. The phenomenon is driven by worsening droughts and unsustainable land and water practices, intensifying desertification in many regions ahead of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought observed on June 17 by the UN. The study underscores a mounting global water-security challenge.