Khartoum ,Sudan – 2025-10-01

Ethiopia’s Dam Management Blamed for ‘Horrific Floods’ in Sudan

The long-feared consequences of Ethiopia’s unilateral operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have materialized this week, as an uncoordinated release of colossal water volumes is being directly blamed for what Egyptian and Sudanese officials are terming “horrific floods” engulfing Sudan. The disaster has prompted a “red alert” across several provinces and raised deep alarm over the potential destruction of key Sudanese infrastructure.

The crisis stems from a sudden and massive discharge of water from the GERD reservoir after it reached full capacity in early September. While Ethiopia has claimed the dam has helped reduce floods by initially holding back water, critics argue a technical failure in the dam’s operation has turned a rainy season into a humanitarian disaster for its downstream neighbour.

Dr. Abbas Sharaky, a prominent professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University, stated that the situation is the result of a “man-made error.” According to his analysis, the failure of four planned turbines to operate prevented Ethiopia from gradually releasing excess water. Instead, gates were reportedly opened in an uncontrolled manner, pushing water flows toward Sudan at rates exceeding 700 million cubic metres per day—more than double the normal seasonal rate.

Sudan Submerged: Lands Sunk and Homes Threatened

The resulting deluge has overwhelmed the Blue Nile and its tributaries, causing widespread destruction across Sudan. Emergency rooms in areas like Jebel Aulia have confirmed that the flood broke through protective barriers, sinking thousands of acres of agricultural land and submerging residential districts in provinces including Khartoum, River Nile, White Nile, Sennar, and Blue Nile.

The timing of the floods is particularly devastating, as they coincide with the end of the harvest season, significantly amplifying the economic and food security impact on farmers. Officials in Khartoum have urged residents along the Nile’s banks to take immediate protective measures as water levels continue to pose a threat to property and life.

The Looming Threat to Roseires Dam

Perhaps the most serious concern is the fate of Sudan’s own water infrastructure. Experts have warned that the sustained, excessive discharge from the GERD is exerting severe pressure on Sudan’s major dams, most notably the Roseires Dam, located only about 110 kilometres downstream from the Ethiopian mega-project.

Professor Sharaky warned that the Roseires Dam, which plays a critical role in Sudan’s irrigation and power generation, faces “serious risks” and a potential collapse if the high-volume flows from the GERD persist without proper coordination. This potential catastrophe underscores the central fear voiced by Khartoum for years: that a lack of binding agreement on the GERD’s filling and operation could expose Sudan’s infrastructure to unmanageable hydraulic stress.

Both Egypt and Sudan have called on the international community to recognize that Ethiopia’s uncoordinated and unilateral operation of the GERD is not only undermining their water security but is now demonstrably leading to a “continuous threat to stability” and causing immediate, preventable, and massive damage.

Headline Points:

 * Unilateral Action: Ethiopia’s uncoordinated release of stored water from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is being blamed for severe, catastrophic flooding across multiple Sudanese provinces.

 * Man-Made Disaster: Experts suggest that the failure of GERD’s turbines to operate has forced a sudden, massive discharge of water, intensifying the seasonal Nile floods.

 * Massive Damage: Thousands of acres of agricultural land and residential areas in states like Khartoum, River Nile, and Blue Nile have been submerged, with houses on the verge of collapse.

 * Roseires Dam at Risk: A leading water resources expert has warned that the sustained, excessive flow from GERD poses a serious risk to the structural integrity of Sudan’s own Roseires Dam.

 * International Law Violation: Egypt and Sudan have jointly condemned the unilateral operation of the GERD, calling it a “grave violation of international law” and a threat to their national water security.