• The European POCTEP RISC PLUS project, focused on strengthening the resilience of the Miño and Limia transboundary basins to climate change, has taken important steps in the implementation of automatic hydrological information systems.

The European POCTEP RISC PLUS project, focused on strengthening the resilience of the Miño and Limia cross-border basins in the face of climate change, has taken important steps in the implementation of automatic hydrological and water quality information systems, drought analysis and flood forecasting. 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 be 124 by the end of the project. Similarly, the automatic water quality information system (SAICA), which has 18 stations, will be increased to 20 once RISC PLUS is completed.

To date, work has been completed and the stations located on the Narla river in Friol (Lugo), Quiroga river in Quiroga (Lugo) and Tamuxe river in O Rosal (Pontevedra) are operational. In addition, two more stations are at an advanced stage of execution, with the civil works practically completed, located on the river Sil in Toreno (Bierzo) and on the river Lobios in Lobios (Ourense). The Portuguese partners, for their part, are carrying out administrative work to complete the monitoring network in their territory, ensuring a coordinated and cross-border approach.

‘It is important to remember that the SAIH stations provide information on our watercourses in real time, based on the capture, transmission and processing of the values adopted by the most significant hydrometeorological and hydraulic variables ; the sensors of these control points are located in very specific and studied geographical locations in order to obtain accurate data that help in decision-making’, explained José Antonio Quiroga, president of the CHMS.

The project is also making progress in the development of a Joint Special Drought Plan, which is already compiling key data and using weather forecasts to create protocols for diagnosing and managing scenarios of prolonged drought and cyclical shortages.

Similarly, we have begun relevant data collection and scenario planning using weather and hydrological forecasts, which will allow detailed protocols for drought risk assessment and management in the international district to be developed.

‘The project will continue to work on the integration of new monitoring points in the Portuguese part of the demarcation, thus reinforcing the collaborative approach. It is also planned to complete the digitisation work and extend the protocols for a more effective and coordinated management of hydrological risks, as well as to continue with the identification of the socio-economic sectors most affected by changes in the future hydrological regime,’ added the president.

‘RISC PLUS began in July 2023 and is scheduled to be completed 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 benchmark in the cross-border management of risks associated with climate change,’ said Quiroga.

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