Climate change is the primary catalyst for climate-related water shocks like floods, droughts, storms and ice caps depletion. As a result of such natural hazards, countless people are displaced, infrastructure is severely damaged, economies are badly affected, diseases outbreak, conflicts arise and crime rate increases. Thus, the detrimental consequences of water-related hazards have profound impacts on modern human society, which require sustainable solutions and policy initiatives to enhance resilience and adaptability.

Climate change induced water problems increase the risk of violence, water disputes and social disorder. Undeniably, water has become a strategic asset that can spark a conflict within and among the states for control and management of water resources. As stated by Konur Alp Kocak (2015, p. 1), water management has caused severe disputes in Central Asia, due to conflicting needs and priorities between the upstream and downstream countries, thus endangering regional stability and security. Such contentious water issues increase the likelihood of future conflicts over water resources.

The results of various studies reveal that being exposed to natural disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods increases the violence against women and girls

Most importantly, water-related problems contribute to increase in crime rate and violence. For instance, the results of various studies reveal that being exposed to natural disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods increases the violence against women and girls e.g., sexual violence (Mohsen Rezaeian, 2013). Likewise, Bethany L brown (2012), concluded that we are beginning to see antisocial or conflict behavior, such as looting, price gouging, and violence, especially in more recent events like Hurricanes Hugo and Katrina. Furthermore, super cyclone of 1999 which hit the Orissa coast on 29^th October was the deadliest storm that hit India since 1977. The figures suggest that property crime surged upward in the disaster year or year following that, murder rate rose in Lucknow following flood and surge in armed robbery was observed during tsunami of 2004 that hit Tamil Nadu state on December 24 (Susmita Roy, 2010). However, this contentious connection between the crime and natural disasters is still under-researched.

As indicated in the IDMC’s Global Report on Internal Displacement (2024), in 2023, 26.4 million people were internally displaced across 148 countries

Notably, Internal displacement and migration due to water-related problems continue to rise. As indicated in the IDMC’s Global Report on Internal Displacement (2024), in 2023, 26.4 million people were internally displaced across 148 countries. Hence, floods and storms remained fundamental contributing factors behind the most disaster displacements or movements. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, approximately 24 million people have fled because of floods, starvation and other environmental hazards (Tahmina Chumky et al, 2022, p. 1). Thus, Cross-border movement is a threat to economic well-being, social order, culture, religious values and political stability (Reinhard Lohrmann, 2000, p. 4).

In an IMF study of water-related disasters in multiple countries found that impacts were associated with decline in foreign exchange earnings, increase in imports mainly food and reconstruction material, raising inflation

Most importantly, water-related hazards result in trade imbalance, supply chain disruptions and power blackout. Thus, such hazards disrupt local economic ecosystem and reduce household incomes. As a result, poverty increases that leads to decline in school enrollment and retention rate, increases stress and anxiety, triggers hunger crisis and limits access to basic healthcare. In fact, in an IMF study of water-related disasters in multiple countries found that impacts were associated with decline in foreign exchange earnings, increase in imports mainly food and reconstruction material, raising inflation (Philip White et al 2004, p. 21). Moreover, inadequate sanitation, drinking contaminated water and exposure to flood water lead to spread of waterborne diseases like diarrhea, cholera and typhoid fever. Indeed, such diseases, cause a shortage of labour supply and loss of skilled workers. Thus, it places additional economic burden on people and reduce personal incomes.

Water-related problems encompass a wide range of macroscopic impacts including, decline in export revenues, damage to transport infrastructure, impeded growth and financial stress. Since, Data suggests that Indirect and secondary losses can be seen in the 1991-92 drought in Zimbabwe where the manufacturing sector was hit by reduced hydroelectric output, combined manufacturing and agricultural losses reduced 1992/93 GDP by 8 percent (Philip White et al, 2004, p. 22).

Ireland was hit by hurricanes Charlie on 1986. It destroyed roads, bridges and telegraph wires. The damage to the road network, estimated at over 19 million USD, was recorded

Specifically, Food insecurity leads to inflation, civil unrest and economic chaos. According to US department of agriculture, Secure access to food can produce wide ranging positive impacts, including: Economic growth,  job creation, poverty reduction and trade opportunities. As reported by FAO (2021, p. 32), drought has been the primary reason for over 34% crop and livestock production loss costing the sector 37 billion USD overall. Likewise, floods are the second gravest disasters for the sector costing 21 billion USD loss in addition to the storms, that rank third among three destructive factors, causing damage of 19 billion USD in crop and livestock production loss. Furthermore, Hurricanes and floods also damage transport infrastructure. For instance, Ireland was hit by hurricanes Charlie on 1986. It destroyed roads, bridges and telegraph wires. The damage to the road network, estimated at over 19 million USD, was recorded (Elena-Alexandra Micu, 2021)

Utilize popular media to equip communities with relevant knowledge and skills for disaster preparedness and response. It would help sustain disastrous events

In the light of preceding impact analysis of climate change-induced water challenges on peace and stability, following solutions are proposed.

• The development of an artificial sea stack nearshore, along the seacoast, in the areas, highly prone to hurricanes and typhoons could potentially reduce the scale of destruction.
• Utilize popular media to equip communities with relevant knowledge and skills for disaster preparedness and response. It would help sustain disastrous events.
• Provide first aid trainings and kits to members of civil society to provide immediate care to disaster affected individuals during water-related emergencies.
• Provide radio communication devices to community leaders in order to facilitate communication, for relief operations, during water-related disasters.
• Water rationing is the effective strategy in drought-vulnerable areas. Adjusting the water demand and resource management, in accordance with the available resources, could enhance resilience against droughts. Furthermore, use of water efficient home appliances and techniques should be adopted to achieve household resilience.
• The concept of community dams must be adopted to harvest rainwater for future use. Moreover, the development of reserve dams at strategic locations, to store flood water, could reduce the magnitude of destruction.
• Considering the severity of water issue, states should declare it a security challenge. Following this, procuring resources, technology transfer and interstate initiatives would allow the states to address this supranational issue effectively.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.