Egypt Denies Blue Nile Drought Reports, Cites Ongoing Monitoring

Egypt has officially denied reports suggesting a water crisis or drought impacting the Blue Nile River, asserting that flood levels are being closely monitored. Sameh Abdel-Rahman, Deputy Head of the Nile River Water Sector at Egypt's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, stated that the complete assessment of the current flood season will be available by the end of August. This timeline allows for comprehensive monitoring of climate changes and the ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Abdel-Rahman explained that the Ethiopian and Equatorial plateaus, which contribute significantly to the Blue Nile's flow, experience three rainy seasons annually. He emphasized that the end of August marks the period when the full extent of the flood season becomes apparent, as these regions account for approximately half of the Blue Nile's water volume. During a television interview, Abdel-Rahman assured the public that "there is no water crisis under any circumstances." He elaborated that flood levels typically start low and gradually rise through August and September, with forecast accuracy improving as more climate data becomes available. The Ministry's forecasting center conducts daily meetings to track developments in the rainy season, the Nile River's status, and global climate phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, which directly influence rainfall. While Egypt maintains its water security, the situation highlights the vulnerability of downstream countries. The Deputy Head of the Nile River Water Sector pointed out that Sudan is the most affected by any developments concerning the GERD. He stressed that Ethiopia's approach to coordinating dam operations with downstream nations leaves the management of shared water resources in an uncertain state.

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Egypt is not facing a water crisis, denying reports of a drought affecting the Blue Nile River or a significant decrease in flood levels in the coming period.