More than 1,260 feddans (5.3 million square meters) of farmland in Menoufiya and Beheira governorates have been flooded in what officials called an “artificial” surge caused by Ethiopia’s uncoordinated release of water from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam/GERD.
Ethiopia discharged nearly 2 billion cubic meters of water between Sept. 10 and 30, a quantity above regular seasonal flows, in what Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation described as a media stunt timed with the GERD’s Sept. 9 inauguration, attended by regional leaders.
The ministry called the uncoordinated release a “reckless and illegal” act that caused a sudden surge in Nile water, flooding parts of Sudan and reaching Egypt’s High Dam in record time.
In Menoufiya, Governor Ibrahim Abu Lamoun reported that 1,200 feddans were submerged and 70 homes damaged. Emergency aid including cash, in-kind support, and mobile medical caravans, is being provided. Authorities are also considering alternative housing and suspending rental fees for affected lands, pending coordination with the irrigation ministry.
In Beheira, Governor Jacqueline Azar said 61 feddans were impacted, mainly in Kom Hamada. “The situation is under control,” she said, noting that excess water levels ranged from 30–60 centimeters. Local officials issued early warnings and coordinated with the agriculture and irrigation ministries to mitigate the damage.
Former irrigation minister Mohamed Nasr Eldin Allam told Al Manassa the flooding and damage in Sudan and Egypt highlight the grave risks of unilateral dam management. “The Ethiopian side discharged excess water in a way that disrupted the seasonal balance of the Nile,” he said. “That’s a red flag for the region.” He noted that Egypt has invested heavily in water infrastructure to mitigate risks from GERD mismanagement.
Ministry spokesperson Mohamed Ghanem told Al Manassa that the Nile Revenue Committee is monitoring inflows from Aswan in real time and adjusting water allocations accordingly. He emphasized that river levels naturally fluctuate due to agriculture, industry, and drinking water needs, and that floodplain lands typically re-emerge in winter.
The ministry had issued a nationwide alert on Sept. 7 advising citizens to protect property and crops located on the floodplain, Ghanem explained to Al Manassa. He noted that cultivation licenses are only issued for winter months and that illegal construction has obstructed the river’s natural flow.
The ministry said it used the High Dam and Toshka spillways to safely release excess water and protect dam integrity. “Egypt is managing its water resources with maximum efficiency,” the ministry said. “We are ensuring the protection of both people and property.”
