Six days after Storm Kristin made landfall, tens of thousands of Portuguese citizens, particularly in central and northern regions, are still without electricity, water, and communications. The storm, which caused widespread destruction and at least 10 fatalities, has prompted a €2.5 billion government aid package for recovery.
Argentina's crucial soybean and maize crops are under severe stress due to persistent dry weather and a recent heatwave, with January rainfall significantly below normal. This threatens to reduce yields for the 2025/2026 season, impacting a key global agricultural exporter. Farmers report visible damage, and meteorologists forecast continued dry conditions into February, raising concerns for global grain and oilseed markets.
Germany's natural gas reserves have fallen to 32.9% capacity as of February 1, 2026, due to severe winter temperatures. This sharp decline from previous years has ignited concerns over energy security, prompting a political debate despite government assurances.
Brazilian courts have recently determined that the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam in the Amazon failed to meet its requirements for protecting ecosystems and indigenous communities. Operating since 2016 on the Xingu River, the dam's environmental and social impacts were found to be far greater than initially forecast.
S&P Global Ratings has affirmed China Water Affairs Group's 'BB+' ratings with a stable outlook. The affirmation comes despite weakened financials due to delayed tariff adjustments and slower new connections, with recovery anticipated from accelerated tariff hikes and disciplined capital expenditure.
Australia is facing a severe and prolonged heatwave, with temperatures forecast to approach 50C in some areas. Catastrophic fire danger warnings are in effect across multiple states, leading to widespread alerts and health advisories from the Bureau of Meteorology and emergency services.
Customer complaints regarding water bills in England and Wales surged by over 50% in 2025, reaching more than 16,000. The Consumer Council for Water attributes the rise primarily to affordability issues and significant bill increases, prompting calls for better support for struggling households.
A strike at Capstone Copper's Mantoverde mine in Chile, initiated on January 2, 2026, has escalated with Union #2 members gaining control of the desalination facility on January 18. This action has disrupted the mine's water supply, leading to a halt in sulphide operations and threatening oxide production, impacting global copper supply. Capstone Copper is seeking judicial intervention to regain access.
Nearly one million people in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area faced a massive power outage on January 15, 2026, after a technical failure at Edenor's Morón transformer substation. The incident, occurring during a heatwave, disconnected four 220 kV lines, impacting both Edenor and Edesur users and reigniting concerns over chronic underinvestment in Argentina's power grid.
A technical failure at the Morón transformer substation, operated by Edenor, plunged nearly one million people in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area into darkness on January 15, 2026. The incident, which disconnected four high-voltage lines, occurred during an intense heatwave and has reignited concerns over chronic underinvestment in Argentina's power grid.
Abu Dhabi is significantly boosting its water diplomacy, finance, and governance efforts in preparation for co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal. These initiatives include the launch of the $2 billion Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform and strategic engagements during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, aiming to accelerate SDG 6 and enhance global water security.
The popular South African town of Knysna is on the brink of a severe water crisis, with officials warning that drinking water supplies could run out within 10 days. Critically low dam levels, prolonged drought, and increased demand during the holiday season have pushed the municipality to implement Level 4 water restrictions and seek urgent alternative solutions.
A man was in critical condition after a near-drowning incident at WhiteWater World theme park on the Gold Coast, Australia, on Friday, January 2, 2026. He was pulled from the 'Cave of Waves' and later reported to be in stable condition.
A severe water contamination crisis in Indore's Bhagirathpura area has led to at least nine confirmed deaths from diarrhoeal illness and sickened over 2,800 residents. Investigations point to sewer water leaking into the drinking supply, with E. coli and other fecal bacteria detected. Authorities are probing the negligence and providing relief.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will not activate the Feedstock Flexibility Program for crop year 2025, which runs from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. This decision stems from projections in the December 9, 2025, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, indicating that U.S. ending sugar stocks are unlikely to lead to loan forfeitures by processors.
Cuban authorities have issued a stark warning regarding a projected surge in forest fires across the island, particularly in Pinar del Río, during early 2026. Factors like prolonged drought, deteriorated forest infrastructure, and human activity are expected to intensify the fire season, with estimates suggesting up to 112 fires and 4,000 hectares at risk in Pinar del Río alone.
A 5,700 sq km area in Brazil's semi-arid northeast, primarily in Bahia, has been officially classified as the country's first arid region. This unprecedented climate shift, identified by CEMADEN and INPE in 2023, is attributed to decreased rainfall and rising temperatures driven by climate change, impacting local agriculture and communities.
Families in Pinar del Río, Cuba, are facing dire circumstances as chronic power outages, lasting up to 30 hours, jeopardize the lives of relatives dependent on life support. Hospitals, despite being prioritized, struggle with unreliable backup systems and fuel shortages, forcing some families to reside within medical facilities to ensure continuous power for critical medical equipment.
Spain endured its most extreme summer in 2025, registering its hottest temperatures on record, according to preliminary meteorological data. This unprecedented heat fueled widespread and devastating wildfires across multiple regions, consuming vast tracts of land. The severe conditions also led to a significant increase in heat-related mortality, placing immense pressure on public health services and highlighting the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies.
São Paulo, Brazil, experienced an unprecedented heatwave in December 2025, with temperatures reaching a record-breaking 36.2°C. The extreme heat prompted red alerts across multiple states, impacting public health and water resources, before forecasts indicated the arrival of significant rainfall.
