Latest news with #MinistryofWaterResourcesandIrrigation
Daily News Egypt
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures
Egypt's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation announced on Saturday that water harvesting and flood protection structures in the Sinai Peninsula successfully captured around 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater during last week's storm, helping safeguard residents and infrastructure. Minister Hani Sewilam received a detailed report from Abu Bakr El-Rouby, head of the groundwater sector, on rainfall recorded between 12 and 14 August. The ministry's Flood Forecasting Centre had issued early warnings of medium to heavy rainfall over parts of South Sinai, enabling round-the-clock monitoring in coordination with local authorities. On 13 August, moderate rainfall over Saint Catherine and Ras Sudr triggered a medium-strength flash flood in Abu Gaada, where 300,000 cubic metres of water were collected behind Dam No. 1. The following day, rain in Wadi El-Arbaeen led to another moderate flood, with three mountain lakes capturing about 15,000 cubic metres. The report highlighted ongoing flood protection measures in Saint Catherine, which include a dam, two artificial lakes with a combined capacity of 850,000 cubic metres, 242 mountain lakes, and five underground reservoirs. In Ras Sudr's Wadi Grendel, five artificial lakes and two rockfill dams with a total storage capacity of 15 million cubic metres have also been completed.
Egypt Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Egypt vows to protect its existential water rights, rejecting unilateral actions on the Nile
Egypt has affirmed its commitment to preserving its water rights in the Nile River and rejected the unilateral measures being implemented by Ethiopia in the southern basin of the river. In a joint statement from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Water Resources and Irrigation on Thursday, Ministers Badr Abdel-Ati and Hani Sweilam discussed coordinating efforts to defend national interests, which are a priority for national security, and to strengthen historical relations and cooperation with Nile Basin countries. According to the statement, the ministers stressed that 'Egypt has always been committed to cooperation and achieving mutual benefit with all sister nations of the Nile Basin, and we are certain that preserving Egyptian water security does not mean impacting the developmental interests of the sister Nile Basin countries.' The statement confirmed that the 'desired balance can be achieved by adhering to the rules of international law for the governance of the Nile River and the necessity of cooperation to achieve mutual benefit on the basis of international law.' The ministers also discussed the latest developments in the ongoing consultative process within the Nile Basin Initiative to restore consensus and inclusivity among member states. Protecting national interests The ministers affirmed Egypt's complete rejection of the unilateral measures that violate international law in the Eastern Nile Basin. The statement confirmed that Egypt will continue to monitor developments closely and will take all measures guaranteed to it under international law to protect the existential capabilities of its people. The two ministers agreed to continue consultation and coordination to ensure the achievement of national goals and the protection of Egyptian water security. They also discussed monitoring the implementation of projects that the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation plans to carry out in the coming period to enhance cooperation with Nile Basin countries. This includes the Mabakana dam project for hydroelectric power in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which will be financed through a new Egyptian funding mechanism for infrastructure projects in the Southern Nile Basin. The ministers also confirmed Egypt's historical and continuous support for development efforts in Nile Basin countries, especially those in the Southern Nile Basin. They reviewed the latest developments in various cooperation mechanisms, including a new Egyptian funding mechanism with an initial budget of $100 million for the study and implementation of development and infrastructure projects, such as dams, in the Southern Nile Basin countries, as well as the role of the Egyptian Partnership for Development Agency and the Egyptian Initiative for Nile Basin Development.
Al-Ahram Weekly
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Supreme Court rules tourist houseboat fees unconstitutional - Tourism
The court, presided over by Chief Justice Boulos Fahmy, found that clauses (iv) and (vii) of Article Two of Ministerial Decree No. 294 of 2018—amended by Decree No. 357 of 2019—violated the constitution. The clauses in question imposed fixed fees on tourist houseboats for docking at floating berths constructed by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and for the use of water spaces. These fees were presented as service charges, but the court held that they had been misclassified as 'utilization charges.' In its reasoning, the court stressed that such administrative service fees must be backed by proper legislative authorization. However, it found that the decrees were issued under the Irrigation and Drainage Law No. 12 of 1984, which does not empower the minister to impose financial charges of this kind. This, the court ruled, represented an overstep by the executive into powers constitutionally reserved for the legislature, thus violating Articles 38, 101, and 171 of the Constitution. While acknowledging the potential financial impact of its decision—particularly the state's obligation to refund previously collected fees—the court cited Article 49 of its governing law to delay enforcement. The ruling will take effect the day after it is published in the Official Gazette. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yomiuri Shimbun
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Egypt Says Ethiopia's Completed Power-Generating Dam Lacks a Legally Binding Agreement
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt said Friday that Ethiopia has consistently lacked the political will to reach a binding agreement on its now-complete dam, an issue that involves Nile River water rights and the interests of Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia's prime minister said Thursday that the country's power-generating dam, known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, on the Nile is now complete and that the government is 'preparing for its official inauguration' in September. Egypt has long opposed the construction of the dam, because it would reduce the country's share of Nile River waters, which it almost entirely relies on for agriculture and to serve its more than 100 million people. The more than the $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile near the Sudan border began producing power in 2022. It's expected to eventually produce more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity — double Ethiopia's current output. Ethiopia and Egypt have spent years trying to reach an agreement over the dam, which Ethiopia began building in 2011. At one point, tensions ran so high that some feared the dispute would escalate to war. Both countries reached no deal despite negotiations over 13 years, and it remains unclear how much water Ethiopia will release downstream in case of a drought. Egyptian officials, in a statement, called the completion of the dam 'unlawful' and said that it violates international law, reflecting 'an Ethiopian approach driven by an ideology that seeks to impose water hegemony' instead of equal partnership. 'Egypt firmly rejects Ethiopia's continued policy of imposing a fait accompli through unilateral actions concerning the Nile River, which is an international shared watercourse,' Egypt's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said in a statement Friday. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his address to lawmakers Thursday, said that his country 'remains committed to ensuring that our growth does not come at the expense of our Egyptian and Sudanese brothers and sisters.' 'We believe in shared progress, shared energy, and shared water,' he said. 'Prosperity for one should mean prosperity for all.' However, the Egyptian water ministry said Friday that Ethiopian statements calling for continued negotiations 'are merely superficial attempts to improve its image on the international stage.' 'Ethiopia's positions, marked by evasion and retreat while pursuing unilateralism, are in clear contradiction with its declared willingness to negotiate,' the statement read. However, Egypt is addressing its water needs by expanding agricultural wastewater treatment and improving irrigation systems, according to the ministry, while also bolstering cooperation with Nile Basin countries through backing development and water-related projects.
The Hill
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Egypt says Ethiopia's completed power-generating dam lacks a legally binding agreement
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt said Friday that Ethiopia has consistently lacked the political will to reach a binding agreement on its now-complete dam, an issue that involves Nile River water rights and the interests of Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia's prime minister said Thursday that the country's power-generating dam, known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, on the Nile is now complete and that the government is 'preparing for its official inauguration' in September. Egypt has long opposed the construction of the dam, because it would reduce the country's share of Nile River waters, which it almost entirely relies on for agriculture and to serve its more than 100 million people. The more than the $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile near the Sudan border began producing power in 2022. It's expected to eventually produce more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity — double Ethiopia's current output. Ethiopia and Egypt have spent years trying to reach an agreement over the dam, which Ethiopia began building in 2011. At one point, tensions ran so high that some feared the dispute would escalate to war. Both countries reached no deal despite negotiations over 13 years, and it remains unclear how much water Ethiopia will release downstream in case of a drought. Egyptian officials, in a statement, called the completion of the dam 'unlawful' and said that it violates international law, reflecting 'an Ethiopian approach driven by an ideology that seeks to impose water hegemony' instead of equal partnership. 'Egypt firmly rejects Ethiopia's continued policy of imposing a fait accompli through unilateral actions concerning the Nile River, which is an international shared watercourse,' Egypt's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said in a statement Friday. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his address to lawmakers Thursday, said that his country 'remains committed to ensuring that our growth does not come at the expense of our Egyptian and Sudanese brothers and sisters.' 'We believe in shared progress, shared energy, and shared water,' he said. 'Prosperity for one should mean prosperity for all.' However, the Egyptian water ministry said Friday that Ethiopian statements calling for continued negotiations 'are merely superficial attempts to improve its image on the international stage.' 'Ethiopia's positions, marked by evasion and retreat while pursuing unilateralism, are in clear contradiction with its declared willingness to negotiate,' the statement read. However, Egypt is addressing its water needs by expanding agricultural wastewater treatment and improving irrigation systems, according to the ministry, while also bolstering cooperation with Nile Basin countries through backing development and water-related projects.
