Egypt.. Official Statement on the Rising Water Levels in the Nile River

The Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation issued an official statement in response to recent reports regarding the rising water levels in the Nile River and its branches, Rosetta and Damietta, confirming that the flooding observed in some areas of the "river's floodplain" is part of water management and not a natural disaster.

The ministry explained that these measures are part of the national project to regulate the Nile, which aims to remove all encroachments on the waterway and enhance its efficiency to ensure the safe passage of water flows.

Reasons for the Rising Levels

The ministry confirmed that the rise in levels is due to:

The seasonal natural flood, or what is known as "artificial flood" resulting from uncontrolled or sudden flows in the upper river, especially from the Nile's sources.


It emphasized that the river's floodplain is an integral part of the river's water sector according to the law, and that flooding during the rise of water inflows is normal and does not indicate a malfunction in the system.

Technical Measures to Protect Facilities and the Environment

The ministry confirmed that urgent measures have been taken to drain excess water through the Nile branches (Rosetta and Damietta), aiming to:

Ensure the safety of water facilities,

Maintain the balance and efficiency of the water system,

Protect the river from pollution resulting from stagnant water accumulation.


It also added that all water management decisions are made in full coordination with the relevant authorities within Egypt, taking into account the agricultural gap between the summer and winter seasons to minimize the impact on existing crops.

Prior Warning of Encroachments

The ministry indicated that it had previously notified local authorities of the necessity to remove all forms of encroachments on both sides of the waterway, to avoid rising levels or damage during the implementation of water balancing works.

In this context, the city of Ashmoun in the Monufia Governorate urged citizens and farmers to evacuate their lands and homes in the river's floodplain, in anticipation of rising water levels and flooding in low-lying areas, while emphasizing the need to temporarily avoid planting crops in those lands to prevent economic losses and security risks.