Sudan's Ministry of Irrigation: Temporary decline in Blue Nile water inflows due to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

The Sudanese Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources announced on Friday a temporary decline in the inflow of water from the Blue Nile, due to a reduction in the discharge from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

In a statement, the ministry clarified that "the water situation in Sudan remains stable and reassuring." It noted that "inflows of the White Nile and its levels up to mid-July 2026 recorded rates higher than the general average and higher than last year's levels, while discharges from the Jebel Aulia Reservoir maintained stability exceeding averages of previous years."

The ministry stated that "the General Directorate of Reservoirs monitored a temporary decrease in the daily inflow to the Roseires Reservoir Lake (south of Khartoum) during the period from July 7 to 9, where it dropped from 207 to 129 million cubic meters per day."

It added that this "reflected on the discharges of the Roseires and Sennar reservoirs, leading to a temporary drop in Nile levels at several stations, including north of Roseires, Wad Madani, Khartoum, Halfaia, and Shendi."

The statement further explained that this decline "is directly attributable to the reduction in the discharge of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam during that period," affirming that "the recession of Nile waters, its tributaries, and flooding is a natural phenomenon, but the construction of the Renaissance Dam has altered the river's hydrology."

It continued: "This phenomenon is managed through the technical operation of reservoirs and implementing necessary operational adjustments to ensure the stability of water supplies and maintain required levels."

The statement pointed out that "Nile levels in areas north of the capital, Khartoum, remain higher than those recorded during the same period last year."

It highlighted that "a high-level committee, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, monitors the developments of the water situation around the clock and takes necessary operational decisions based on readings and technical analyses."

According to the statement, the ministry confirmed that "reservoir operation is conducted on scientific and technical bases, ensuring the safety of water structures, securing the needs of citizens and the agricultural sector, and supporting the success of the agricultural season."

On Monday, the government of Khartoum State announced in a statement that "the significant drop in Nile levels caused the suction pumps at the Salihah Water Station to go out of operation, affecting drinking water supplies in several neighborhoods and villages south of Umm Durman locality."

Activists had previously broadcast videos showing lowered water levels in the Nile in several areas of the capital, Khartoum, and the emergence of sandbars due to the recession of the river's waters.

Disputes remain ongoing between Egypt and Sudan on one side, and Ethiopia on the other, regarding the filling and operation of the Renaissance Dam, which Addis Ababa began constructing in 2011.

Cairo and Khartoum demand reaching a binding tripartite legal agreement regulating the filling and operation processes before their completion.

In contrast, Ethiopia believes the project does not require a binding agreement and insists it does not intend to harm the interests of any other country. This stance led to the freezing of negotiations for three years, before they resumed in 2023, only to halt again in 2024.