Guidelines for the preparation of Drought Management Plans. Development and implementation in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive

These guidelines are aimed to support the development and implementation of risk-based Drought Management Plans (IDMP) in the context of the European Union Water Framework Directive – as part of the River Basin Management Plans (RBMP).

The objectives of the guidelines are to: i) encourage broader commitments to integrated water management systems, according to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) that provide for a better understanding of how to integrate drought management into the planning and development of RBMPs; ii) use a step-by-step approach to develop DMPs in accordance with WMO/GWP Guidelines and EU Guidelines; iii) provide information on other issues related to drought that are included in the WFD: quantitative status, prolonged drought, and climate change.

The Guidelines are tailor-made to the Central and Eastern European regional conditions. They are targeted primarily at public bodies and competent authorities responsible for national drought planning. Furthermore, efforts were made to make the Guidelines clear and simple to increase understanding by stakeholders and the broad public.