• The RISC_PLUS project is also advancing in the development of a joint Special Drought Plan (Spain-Portugal) that will allow for more rigorous diagnosis and management of prolonged drought scenarios and circumstantial water scarcity.

The European POCTEP RISC_PLUS project, focused on strengthening the resilience of the Miño and Limia cross-border basins against climate change, is taking important steps in implementing automatic systems for hydrological information and water quality monitoring, drought analysis, and flood prediction. These actions consolidate its commitment to sustainable water management adapted to current challenges.

Currently, the automatic hydrological information system (SAIH) has 116 control points in the Miño-Sil Demarcation, which will increase to 124 by the end of the project. Similarly, the automatic water quality information system (SAICA), which currently has 18 stations, will be increased to 20 once RISC_PLUS concludes.

To date, works have been completed and stations are operational at the Narla River in Friol (Lugo), Quiroga River in Quiroga (Lugo), and Tamuxe River in O Rosal (Pontevedra). Additionally, two more stations are in an advanced stage of execution, with civil works practically concluded, located on the Sil River in Toreno (León) and the Lobios River in Lobios (Ourense). Meanwhile, the Portuguese partners are carrying out administrative work to complete the surveillance network in their territory, ensuring a coordinated and cross-border approach.

“It is important to remember that through the SAIH stations, we obtain real-time information from our riverbeds, based on the capture, transmission, and processing of values adopted by the most significant hydrometeorological and hydraulic variables; the sensors at these control points are situated in very specific and studied geographical locations to obtain precise data that aid in decision-making,” explained José Antonio Quiroga, president of the CHMS.

The project is also advancing in the development of a Joint Special Drought Plan, which is already collecting key data and using weather forecasts to create protocols that will allow for the diagnosis and management of prolonged drought scenarios and circumstantial water scarcity.

Similarly, we have begun collecting relevant data and planning scenarios using meteorological and hydrological forecasts, which will enable the development of detailed protocols for drought risk assessment and management in the international demarcation.

“The project will continue working on integrating new control points in the Portuguese part of the demarcation, thus reinforcing the collaborative approach. Additionally, it is planned to complete the digitalisation work and expand protocols for more effective and coordinated management of hydrological risks, as well as continue identifying the socioeconomic sectors most affected by changes in future hydrological patterns,” added the president.

“RISC_PLUS began in July 2023 and is scheduled to conclude in June 2026, with a budget of 1.6 million euros, of which more than 50% has been executed to date. The progress of the RISC_PLUS project reaffirms its commitment to water innovation and sustainability, positioning itself as a reference in cross-border management of risks associated with climate change,” Quiroga emphasized.

“The Interreg VE Spain-Portugal Programme (POCTEP) promotes cross-border cooperation projects with European Union support, which facilitates and favours the development of joint work on strategic projects essential for prevention and preparation against extreme phenomena, advancing in digitalisation for proper water management in the international demarcation,” concluded the president.