Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hany Sweilam chaired a meeting on Sunday of Egypt’s Permanent Committee for Regulating the River Nile Revenue.
During the meeting, the minister reviewed the country’s water situation and Nile inflows during the peak water demand season.
He also reviewed developments related to the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Egypt says is being operated unlawfully and in violation of international law.
The minister said the situation requires the operators of downstream dams and water facilities to continuously update operational scenarios to ensure efficient water resources management and respond effectively to changing hydrological conditions.
He stressed that the available data are not yet sufficient to accurately assess this year’s flood season, adding that a clearer picture is expected after the first 10 days of August, when a significant proportion of Blue Nile flows is typically received.
The meeting also reviewed the latest assessments by regional and international climate centres of the evolution of the El Niño and La Niña weather patterns and their potential impact on rainfall across several regions, including East Africa.
Sweilam instructed ministry officials to maintain daily monitoring of rainfall and river inflow indicators while continuously updating hydrological and climate forecasts to enable timely adjustments to operational plans and ensure the optimal management of Egypt’s water resources.
The minister also stressed that the Aswan High Dam will remain the cornerstone of Egypt’s water security, citing its storage capacity and operational flexibility, which enable it to cope with varying hydrological conditions while ensuring water supplies for all sectors.
