Petorca in Chile has experienced a drought as part of the Chilean water crisis since 2010. It is the longest and most intense drought in the area in 700 years. By 2018, the Ministry of Public Works had decreed Petorca a "zone of water scarcity" for fourteen consecutive years. The drought has mainly affected the lowlands and foothills, while surrounding hills maintain a healthy cover of avocado plantations.
Why this event still matters
Historical incidents shape the rules that protect people today — building codes, evacuation policy, warning systems and inspection regimes almost always trace back to a specific disaster. Studying Petorca water crisis alongside current events is how preparedness improves.
See what is happening right now on the live world incident map, browse every droughts we track on the Drought tracker, or follow live incidents in Chile.