Regions forecast to have significant water deficits for the 12-month period May 2022 through April 2023 include: Europe, northwest Africa, Chile, Mexico, and California & Texas (US). Areas of significant water surplus include: China, India, Pakistan, Russia, Colombia, and North Dakota (US). This Watch List is based on ISciences Water Security Indicator Model v2 (WSIMv2) 5 August 2022.
Middle East: Intense water deficits to emerge in Saudi Arabia
The forecast through November indicates that widespread, intense water surpluses will persist in the region from southeastern Turkey and northern Syria through northern Iraq into northwestern Iran, and along the southeastern shore of the Caspian Sea and the Iran-Turkmen border. Exceptional deficits are forecast to emerge in a vast block of central Saudi Arabia.
Middle East: Water surpluses will persist in northern Iraq & Iran
The forecast through October indicates that widespread water surpluses will persist in the region from southeastern Turkey through northern Iraq into northwestern Iran and along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. Some areas of previous surplus will begin to transition as deficits emerge. Intense deficits are forecast for central Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, moderate to severe deficits in Georgia, and primarily moderate deficits in pockets of western Turkey including Ankara.
Middle East: Intense water deficits to emerge in Riyadh Province
The forecast through September indicates that widespread water surpluses will persist from southeastern Turkey through northern Iraq into northwestern Iran and along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. Surpluses will remain intense, but conditions of both deficit and surplus are also forecast as transitions occur. Deficits are forecast for the southern Arabian Peninsula and will be especially intense in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia.
Middle East: Water surpluses will persist from Syria into Iran
The forecast through August 2019 indicates that, though some areas will begin to transition out of water surplus, widespread surpluses will persist from northern Syria into southern and eastern Turkey, from the Euphrates River in Iraq well into western Iran, and in northern Iran along the Caspian coast and the border with Turkmenistan. Deficits will increase in central Turkey and on the Arabian Peninsula and will include exceptional deficits in central Saudi Arabia.