A dramatic plunge in the Blue Nile’s water levels gripped Sudan on Friday following a sudden drop in discharge from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Local authorities confirmed that water inflows sharply decreased over several consecutive days earlier this month.
A vital lifeline slowed to a crawl as inflow to Roseires Lake plummeted by 76 million cubic meters per day.
This engineering choice echoed downstream, slashing vital discharge volumes behind both the critical Roseires and Sennar dam networks.
A sweeping thirst touched key stations, with water levels dropping up to 1.70 meters in vulnerable agricultural zones.
Even the historic banks of Khartoum felt the pinch, sinking more than a meter deep.
Officials noted the massive Ethiopian dam, completed in July 2025, has fundamentally altered the natural ancient hydrology of the river.
Authorities are actively managing reservoir operations to stabilize drinking water supplies and protect the country’s fragile farming sector.
Meanwhile, a surging White Nile provided a saving grace, holding steady above seasonal averages to buffer the immediate crisis.
The geopolitical chill lingers as Sudan and Egypt continue demanding a legally binding agreement to secure their historic water shares.
