Egypt Accuses Ethiopia of Reckless Nile Dam Management, Alleges Sudden Water Releases

Cairo: Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has accused Ethiopia of managing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) recklessly, resulting in sudden water discharges that affect downstream countries. This was stated in a ministry-issued statement on Saturday.

According to Jordan News Agency, the ministry emphasized that these actions substantiate Egypt’s concerns about the risks associated with Ethiopia’s unilateral control of the dam, which could destabilize the Nile River system. Egypt is currently implementing a comprehensive strategy to bolster its water system’s resilience against potential emergencies.

The statement further elaborated on the ongoing development of the Toshka spillway and canal, a part of the broader plan to increase discharge capacity and flexibility in water management. This initiative aims to protect and ensure the stable operation of the High Dam. The Nile Revenue Committee, comprising experts in water resources management, hydrology, dam operations, and mathematical modeling, is responsible for overseeing the operation of the water system. Their decisions are based on real-time monitoring and advanced hydrological forecasting.

The ministry highlighted Egypt’s vigilant monitoring of the water situation, underscoring their preparedness to manage all water discharges through scientifically-based precautionary plans. These efforts are designed to meet the country’s water needs without adverse effects, while ensuring coordination among state institutions to protect Egypt’s water resources and its rights in the Nile River.