The Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation Clarifies: Flooding of Nile Bank Lands is a "Natural Procedure" and Not an Emergency Phenomenon
In an official response to what has been circulated on social media regarding the rise in water levels in the Nile River and its branches, the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources confirmed that the circulated information is "inaccurate and misleading," pointing out that the phenomenon of flooding some Nile bank lands is part of the natural technical procedures for managing the water system.
This came in a statement from the ministry on Saturday, where it noted that there is a "deliberate attempt to stir controversy by publishing misleading content," coinciding with the implementation of the national project to regulate the Nile aimed at removing encroachments on the watercourse.
The ministry clarified that "the flooding of some river bank lands along the Nile and its branches occurs as a result of releasing additional water discharges as part of managing the water system, to deal with increases in water inflows." It pointed out that these increases come either from "natural flooding or what is known as 'artificial flooding' resulting from uncontrolled or sudden discharges in the upper Nile River."
It emphasized that these cases are "considered natural in the context of water management during periods of increased water inflows, and require urgent technical measures to drain the excess water through the Nile branches (Rosetta and Damietta)."
The ministry noted that technical analyses and satellite images indicate that "flooding phenomena are not new, as similar cases have occurred in previous years, for example between 2019 and 2025."
Regarding the activities of some citizens in these areas, the ministry added: "Although some occupants of the river bank lands engage in illegal activities within the river's course and its floodplain, the ministry's agencies are keen on their safety and property as much as possible, and work to coordinate in advance before implementing any additional water discharges to avoid direct damages."
It warned that "the continuation of these encroachments negatively affects the capacity of the watercourse and the quality of its water, and reduces its efficiency in passing water, which necessitates the continued firm efforts of the state to remove the encroachments in order to preserve the public interest."
In response to the circulated content regarding the "legitimacy of using those lands for agriculture or construction," the ministry considered this "an attempt to falsely legitimize legal violations."
This comes at a time when the Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, directed the governors to "deal decisively with those encroaching on the lands of the Nile River," emphasizing that these lands are among the vital areas that are flooded with water during certain times of the year, making any encroachment on them a "serious environmental hazard."
It is worth noting that some areas in the governorates through which the Nile or its branches pass, especially Menoufia and Beheira, have witnessed flooding of some river bank lands starting from September 19, which intensified by the end of September and continued until October 22, 2025.
