Evaluation of resilience in the Chiriqui Viejo River basin, Chiriqui, Panama in the context of climate change and extreme weather events.

This study examines the impact of climate change on the CHIRIQuí Viejo River basin, with a focus on the variability of precipitation patterns and their influence on the region’s flows. Using data collected from 1972 to 2001, climate variability was analyzed using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), a statistical method that quantifies anomalies in precipitation. The results indicate critical years in which the RLS reached extreme values, reflecting significant episodes of humidity and drought. For example, in 1972, the Cerro Punta station recorded an SPI of 3.5, denoting an exceptionally wet year, while in 1984, the Canas Gordas station experienced an SPI of ${- 1. 2 1}$, indicative of severe drought. The visual information provided by the heat maps clearly illustrates the spatial and temporal distribution of these events. Specifically, Figure 4 highlights how variations in altitude and geographic location within the basin directly affect precipitation patterns and, consequently, water management. The article highlights the critical need for water management policies that consider these patterns of climate variability to strengthen the resilience of local communities and ecosystems. In addition, the implementation of adaptation and mitigation strategies to respond to the adverse effects of climate change is suggested, based on a comprehensive approach that combines hydrological and climate models, vulnerability analysis, and case studies. In summary, this analysis provides a solid basis for future research and the development of more robust and adaptive policies, which are critical to ensure the sustainability of water resources in the Chiriquí Viejo River basin and other similar regions affected by climate change.