Egypt's Irrigation min. discuss preparations for water needs season

CAIRO, April 15 (MENA) - Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Aty led a meeting of the Permanent Regulatory Committee of the Nile Flow in the presence of the ministry’s executive bodies to follow up on preparations for the season during which water needs and its resources should be properly managed to meet the various usages in Egypt.

The meeting reviewed the situation of the Nile flood, the amounts of rainfalls on Abyssinian plateau and Victoria Lake and assess all possible scenaries for dealing with the water resources in the optimum way so as to meet all water needs of Egypt.

Abdel-Aty ordered raising the state of preparedness for the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Head of the Nile Water Sector at the Ministry Ahmed Bahaa el Din said a comprehensive plan has been outlined for the coming flood season as all measures have been taken to maintain the water storage in the High Dam lake.

Egypt is depending on the annual Nile flow (55.5bn cubic meters) to secure about 97% of its present water needs with only 660 cubic metres per capita, one of the world’s lowest annual per capita water shares. Meanwhile, Ethiopia continues constructing its Grand Renaissance Dam, which is reported to threaten Egypt’s water security.