The forecast through August indicates water deficits in many regions, moderate to severe overall but more intense in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia; Ankara, Turkey; and Baghdad and the lower Gharraf Canal in Iraq. Surpluses are forecast in Turkey from Konya past Lake Tuz.
Middle East: Intense water deficits forecast in Riyadh
Middle East: Widespread water deficits will emerge on the Arabian Peninsula
The forecast through July indicates that widespread, intense water surpluses will persist from northern Syria into southern Turkey, from the Tigris River in Iraq well into western Iran, and in northern Iran along the Caspian coast and the border with Turkmenistan. Widespread, intense deficits are forecast for the Arabian Peninsula. Extreme to exceptional deficits are forecast for Kuwait, southern Iraq, and west of the Euphrates. Severe deficits will emerge in central Iran’s Yazd Province.
Middle East: Water surpluses to persist from Turkey through western Iran
The forecast through April indicates water deficits on the Arabian Peninsula and southern Iran, and surpluses from Turkey through western Iran. Exceptional deficits will increase in western Oman, downgrade somewhat in Yemen, and moderate to severe deficits are expected in much of Saudi Arabia. Deficits will downgrade in United Arab Emirates and moderate deficits will emerge in Qatar.
ISciences Worldwide Water Watch List 8 February 2019
Regions forecast to have significant water deficits for the 12-month period from October 2018 through September 2019 include: Quebec (Canada), Finland, Venezuela, Somalia, South Africa, India, Thailand, Cambodia, and Australia. Areas with a forecast of significant water surplus include: Texas (US), Paraguay, Uruguay, Tanzania, and China. This Watch List is based on ISciences Water Security Indicator Model (WSIM) run on 1 February 2019.