Ecowatch: The world is getting very thirsty

Padi farmer Muhd Akmal Mat Rafaii found part of his padi field had dried up in February 2026 before the harvest season in Bukit Merah, Perak. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

WE are entering an “Era of global water bankruptcy”, according to United Nations scientists. The Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the Post-Crisis Era report released earlier this year says irreversible damage is pushing many river basins beyond recovery.

Here's a look at the water stress nations are experiencing and how South-East Asian countries stack up.