"Irrigation"What has been circulated regarding the rise in water levels in a number of areas along the Nile is inaccurate and misleading information
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation confirmed that what was circulated on social media pages and websites regarding the rise in water levels in a number of areas along the course of the Nile River and its branches is inaccurate and misleading information and analysis about the reasons for the rise in levels, and went to justify some of the violating actions and encroachments occurring on the course of the Nile River. This requires clarification to public opinion.
The Ministry stressed – in a statement today, Friday – that there is an intention to create a state of controversy by publishing such content at a time that coincides with the implementation of the national project to remove encroachments on the course of the Nile River and its two branches, known as the “National Project to Control the Nile,” which is a national project that aims to raise Efficiency of the waterway and increasing its ability to pass water flows safely, enabling state agencies to tightly manage the riverbed and its two branches, and removing all forms of encroachments that have accumulated over decades; Including backfilling, construction and occupancy, in order to preserve the safety of the Nile River, its efficiency and the availability of its waters, as it is the lifeline for all Egyptians, and to ensure regular access of water to millions of beneficiaries without obstacles.
In order for the Ministry to clarify the facts for public opinion, it explains that flooding is occurring in some of the river’s drainage lands along the Nile River and its two branches as a result of launching additional water operations within the management of the system. Water, in order to deal with increases in water imports, whether resulting from natural flooding or what is known as “artificial flooding.” Resulting from uncontrolled or sudden actions in the upper Nile River, the Ministry confirms that these lands are considered an integral part of the river’s water sector according to the law, and that these cases are normal in the context of water management during periods of high water imports, and require urgent technical measures to drain excess water through the “Rashid and Damietta” branches of the Nile. To ensure the safety of water facilities, maintain the efficiency and balance of the water system, and protect it from pollution.
Technical analyzes and satellite images indicate that flooding phenomena are not new, as some past years have witnessed – For example, between 2019 and 2025 there are similar cases, and the results confirm that the current rise in levels is directly linked to the uncontrolled water flow coming from the upper Nile River during recent weeks.
Although the occupants of the river drainage lands are engaging in activities that violate the law within the riverbed and its floodplain, the Ministry’s agencies are keen on their safety and their property as much as possible. It works on prior coordination before implementing any additional water actions to avoid direct damage. However, the continuation of these encroachments negatively affects the carrying capacity of the watercourse and the availability of its water, and reduces its efficiency in passing water, which is reflected in the efficiency of water distribution and delivery to various users. This requires the state to continue its determined efforts to eliminate infringements. In a way that preserves the public interest.
The Ministry implements all procedures for managing water management in full coordination with the concerned authorities, and according to well-studied plans that take into account as much as possible the timing of the agricultural break between the summer and winter seasons in order to reduce the effects on existing crops. The relevant local authorities and authorities have also been notified in advance of the necessity of removing all forms of encroachments on both sides of the watercourse, to avoid a rise in levels or the occurrence of damages during the implementation of water balancing work.
As for what was stated in the circulating content regarding “the legality of using these lands for agriculture or construction,” the Ministry of Irrigation confirmed that it is an incorrect claim and an attempt to give false legitimacy to legal violations, explaining that the ministerial decisions regulating the determination of the benefit fee for the exploitation of public properties related to irrigation and drainage – Including Resolution No. 280 of 2018 and subsequent decisions – It explicitly stipulates that in the event of violating occupancy of public property, a fee for temporary use will be collected until removal at the expense of the violator, within the framework of preserving public money without conferring any legitimacy on the violation.
The Ministry also confirmed that attacks on public money and state property are not subject to a statute of limitations, and that all state agencies are committed to imposing the rule of law and preserving the Nile River – A lifeline for all Egyptians – And restore its prestige as a public property and a fundamental pillar of national water security.
The Ministry called on experts and specialists in the fields of water and irrigation to interact positively with the media and clarify the facts, and not leave room for non-specialists or rumor mongers who seek to mislead citizens or resist the state’s efforts to protect the Nile River.
The Ministry of Irrigation also confirmed its intention to continue implementing this. The national project to protect and preserve the Nile River, regardless of the challenges or attempts to obstruct it; Believing that protecting the river is a national duty and a collective responsibility towards the present and future of Egypt.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Related
