Rivers in some of the world's most populous regions are losing water, according to a new comprehensive study of global stream flow. The study, led by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), suggests that in many cases the reduced flows are associated with climate change. The process could potentially threaten future supplies of food and water.

The results will be published in May 15th issue of the American Meteorological Society's Journal of Climate. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, NCAR's sponsor.

This NCAR press release is on the study of global stream flows covering 925 major rivers. It reveals that the flow of water in world's largest rivers including India's Ganges has declined and in many cases the reduced flows are associated with climate change.

Weblink: http://www.ucar.edu/news/releases/2009/flow.jsp