• The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) has completed the installation and modernization of seven hydrometeorological stations in the Minho and Lima river basins, aimed at strengthening monitoring and climate risk management in the Alto Minho region.

The project, part of the European RISC_PLUS initiative and co-financed by the Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) 2021–2027 programme, includes the installation of four new stations in Cavada (Caminha), Cerdeira (Vila Nova de Cerveira), Merufe (Monção) and Segude (Monção), and the upgrade of equipment and teletransmission systems at three existing stations in Extremo (Arcos de Valdevez), Nogueira (Viana do Castelo) and Vila Nova de Cerveira.

All stations are equipped with sensors capable of recording parameters such as precipitation, flow, temperature, humidity and water level. These data are expected to improve the accuracy of hydrological models and support early-warning systems for extreme events such as floods and droughts.

The project involves cross-border cooperation with the Confederación Hidrográfica del Miño-Sil in Spain and with research centres including the University of Vigo and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. The project’s total investment is around €1.6 million.

According to APA, the initiative aims to support the development of an integrated hydrological plan and to strengthen the region’s resilience to climate change by promoting knowledge sharing between Portugal and Galicia.