Historic Decline in Nile Water Levels Raises Concern Among Sudanese

Sudan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has announced a temporary decline in the volume of water flowing into the Roseires Dam reservoir in the Blue Nile Region in southeastern Sudan.

The ministry said that the Permanent Higher Committee, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ismat Qurashi, and supervised by the Technical Water Resources Authority, is monitoring the water situation around the clock to make appropriate operational decisions, according to an official statement.

The ministry explained that the General Directorate of Dams recorded a decrease in the daily inflow of Blue Nile water into Lake Roseires between 7 and 9 July 2026, dropping from 207 million cubic meters to 129 million cubic meters per day—a decline of 76 million cubic meters.

According to the statement, the reduction was attributed to lower releases from Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The ministry noted that the construction of the dam has altered the hydrological characteristics of the Blue Nile.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation reassured citizens and farmers that reservoir operations are being managed according to precise scientific and technical standards, ensuring the safety of water infrastructure and the continued supply of water for communities and the agricultural sector. It added that the authorities will continue to closely monitor developments and take any necessary measures as required.