The authorities in Egypt say they have activated enhanced water monitoring systems following a warning from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) about a high probability of the development of the El Niño phenomenon in the coming months.
Egypt has launched a comprehensive assessment of the potential impact of El Niño on Nile flows, the country’s main water source, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation announced on Wednesday. The move follows a WMO alert estimating an 80% probability that the phenomenon could develop between June and August 2026.
Meeting under the chairmanship of Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam, the Permanent Committee for Nile Flow Regulation reviewed the river’s hydrological situation, inflows into the High Dam reservoir in Aswan, and the management of available water reserves.
According to the ministry, authorities are relying on mathematical models, satellite imagery and recent scientific studies to anticipate the possible effects of global climate variations on the country’s water resources.
The mobilisation comes amid heightened vigilance after the WMO warning. The UN agency said a potential El Niño event could intensify extreme weather patterns worldwide.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo has urged countries to prepare for possible severe droughts, heavier rainfall and more frequent heatwaves.
In response, the Egyptian ministry has ordered reinforced maintenance of hydraulic infrastructure, including continuous cleaning of canals, checks on emergency pumping stations, and the maintenance of adequate water levels to meet drinking water and electricity generation needs.
The issue is particularly critical for Egypt, whose water supply depends heavily on the Nile.
The authorities are seeking to secure summer demand, a period typically marked by increased consumption in domestic, agricultural and industrial sectors. The ministry said recent water management measures had successfully met national needs during the Eid al-Adha holiday period.
This operational vigilance also forms part of a broader water security strategy. During recent international meetings in Asia, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty described water security as an “existential challenge” for Egypt. He stressed that the national strategy is based on rationalising consumption, expanding wastewater treatment and reuse, and modernising irrigation systems to strengthen resilience against climate change.
MK/AK/Sf/lb/as/APA