Port Sudan, October 1 (Darfur24)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation announced on Tuesday that the water levels of the Blue Nile have started to decline since Monday and are expected to continue falling gradually in the coming days.
This development follows a sharp rise in Nile water levels in recent weeks, which had reached flood levels and raised fears among communities living along the riverbanks.
In a statement, the ministry attributed the recent flooding to shifting rainfall patterns linked to climate change. It explained that the rainy season was delayed and extended into late October, while rainfall on the Ethiopian plateau significantly exceeded average levels.
The ministry noted a substantial rise in the White Nile’s flow, which has remained between 60 percent and 100 percent above average since 2020, as well as unusually high levels in the Atbara River.
It added that these increases coincided with the completion of water storage and filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Since September 10, 2025, water has been released from the dam, combining with seasonal floodwaters. The maximum daily discharge reached 750 million cubic meters.
The ministry clarified that reaching the flood level at monitoring stations does not necessarily mean surrounding areas are submerged, but rather that the water has reached the edge of the riverbed. It urged the public to remain calm and focus on taking appropriate precautionary measures rather than panicking.