Program of Preventive and Mitigation Drought Measures of the Rio Balsas Basin Council (PPMDM-RBBC)

Abstract

This paper presents the main results derived from the formulation of the Programs of Preventive and Mitigation Drought Measures of the Rio Balsas Basin Council (RBBC), which aims to minimize the social, economic, and environmental impact of potential drought situations. First, it presents a brief description of the Balsas river basin; then exposes the main impact of past droughts in the area of this hydrological basin; continues describing the analysis of current vulnerability to drought in the basin; and last, presents the series of measures that were defined under the RBBC to deal with future events of drought in three ways: before the phenomenon happens (strategic measures), at the beginning (tactical measures), and when it is already present (emergency measures). It is expected that the implementation of some of the preventive measures and mitigation strategies will begin to be implemented starting soon, and it is expected that adequate coordination between different government levels and the active participation of society will result in tangible benefits and lower economic losses next times drought occurs.