Galicia, territory adapted to drought?
Main Article Content
Abstract
The drought, a natural phenomenon typical of the Iberian Peninsula, is a climatic hazard with great repercussions on water supply systems for both urban and agricultural uses. The objective of this research is to analyze the effects of droughts, their management and the vulnerability of this hazard in the basin of Galicia-Costa (Northwest of Spain). Methodologically, a review of the past droughts in the study area, the consultation and analysis of hydrological planning were carried out and an analysis of the phases and measures implemented during the last drought (between 2016 and the beginning of 2018). The results show that, during the latter, the reduction of rainfall was around 500 mm (a decrease of 28-49%, depending on the observatory) but highlighting that the main problems occurred precisely in the areas where this reduction was smaller. To sum up it should be noted that there has been a notable advance in the planning of droughts in Galicia-Costa. However, different structural problems such as lack of infrastructures, maintenance and deficiency of supplies, among others, they make this region vulnerable to drought in compare with other regions with a lower rain coupled and taking in to account the possible future effects of climate change.