23/05/2026
Despite its idyllic appearance, photographer João Murteira says this lake in Timor-Leste hides a wild secret — crocodiles lurk beneath its calm waters, keeping people from venturing too close to its shore.
Around 70% of our planet is covered by water, but only about 3% is freshwater. Most of Earth’s freshwater is locked in glaciers and groundwater, while only a small amount is directly accessible in lakes and rivers.
Water continuously moves between the atmosphere, land and oceans through evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoff. Changes in the water cycle can significantly affect precipitation patterns, leading to uneven distribution of water, droughts and floods.
Monitoring and assessing changes in the water cycle are crucial for the sustainable management of water resources and for helping communities prepare for water-related hazards such as floods and droughts.
