Emergency and Disaster Reports

Introduction: Climate change driven by anthropogenic activity represents one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, with profound implications for ecosystems, economic activities, and human well-being. Chile is considered a highly climate-vulnerable country due to its geographical, climatic, and socio-environmental characteristics. Within this national context, the Province of Petorca, located in the northern sector of the Valparaíso Region, has emerged as one of the areas most severely affected by climate variability and prolonged drought. Methods: The study aims to identify and quantify the effects of climate change in the Province of Petorca between 1980 and 2019. Following the PRISMA methodology, a systematic review and analysis of official and non-official data sources were conducted, including meteorological records, hydrological data, agricultural censuses, and climate-risk assessments. Results: The results indicate a sustained decline in precipitation, significant reductions in river discharge, rising air temperatures, increased potential evapotranspiration, accelerated desertification, and severe soil erosion. These climatic changes have substantially affected water availability, agricultural productivity, livestock activities, and local demographic dynamics, leading to socio-economic stress and population displacement in rural areas. Conclussions: The findings highlight the urgent need for integrated, territorially focused climate-adaptation and water-governance strategies in highly vulnerable semi-arid regions such as Petorca.