In central Chile, the Penuelas Lake was until 20 years ago the main source of water for the city of Valparaiso holding enough water for 38,000 Olympic-size swimming pools.
- Water for only two pools now remains.
- Amid a historic 13-year drought, rainfall levels have crashed in the South American nation, leaving Penuelas with enough water to fill just two such pools.
- The lake bed is now littered with fish skeletons and desperate animals searching for water.
- Several decades ago the Penuelas reservoir was the only source of water for all greater Valparaiso.
- The reservoir needs rainfall — once reliable in winter but now at historic lows.
- Hotter air temperatures have meant that snow in the Andes, that usually yields water as it melts in the spring and summer, is melting faster or even turning straight to vapour.
- Scientific studies have found that a global shift in climate patterns is driving the problem by sharpening natural weather cycles.
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