Chilean water crisis
El Yeso reservoir in 2016 (top) at about 88% capacity and in 2020 (bottom) at 40% capacity. | |
| Date | 2010-present |
|---|---|
| Location | Chile |
| Type | Drought |
| Cause | |
| Outcome |
|
The Chilean water crisis is a period of extreme water scarcity and drought in Chile that began in 2010 in response to climate change, agricultural practices and the existing policies established in the early 1980s. It is the longest lasting drought experienced in Chile in over 700 to 1,000 years.
The megadrought that begun in 2010 have contributed to make large swathes of Chile more prone to wildfire. In Central Chile much natural vegetation have experienced reduced chlorophyll levels and vigor as result of the megadrought.