Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Egyptian expert dismisses GERD’s presumed risks to downstream
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will not harm Nile downstream countries, Cairo University’s Water Resource Head Nadir Nuredin (PhD) told Al-Arabiya, countering claims that the dam threatens Egypt and Sudan’s water security.
He explained that concerns over GERD’s impact had stirred debate for years, with some experts warning of risks to Nile basin countries. However, Nuredin dismissed these fears, stating that no international hydrology expert has identified structural or security flaws in the dam.
According to the expert, Ethiopia successfully completed the fifth filling of GERD in December, increasing its reservoir to 72 billion cubic meters, leaving only 2.5 billion cubic meters until full capacity. Despite seasonal fluctuations, he assured that water flow to Egypt and Sudan would increase in the coming years, contrary to earlier concerns.
Nuredin highlighted that current water discharge from the dam, including side and bottom release, evaporation, and deep water discharge, could reach up to eight billion cubic meters—a level that does not impact downstream nations.
He further noted that the flood risk in Egypt and Sudan may rise seasonally, but GERD’s reservoir turbines will regulate flows and ensure controlled discharge.
Source፡ gazette_plus_english
