{"id":34018,"date":"2026-04-07T12:13:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mwri.gov.eg\/?page_id=34018"},"modified":"2026-04-07T12:25:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:25:49","slug":"protection-from-flood-risks-and-rainwater-harvesting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mwri.gov.eg\/?page_id=34018&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Protection from Flood Risks and Rainwater Harvesting"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Protection from Flood Risks and Rainwater Harvesting<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]
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Introduction:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Due to the increase in extreme weather phenomena such as flash floods and heavy rainfall occurring in various governorates of the republic as one of the negative consequences of climate change, and despite the limited nature of this resource, it can occur in desert areas where water is scarce. Therefore, flood waters are considered one of the important renewable water resource sources that contribute to development and social stability, and should not be overlooked despite their irregular occurrence.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation addresses flood risks through a number of measures (long-term measures \u2013 seasonal measures \u2013 proactive measures). Regarding long-term measures, approximately 1363 artificial structures have been implemented for protection against flood risks in Egypt.<\/strong><\/li>\n
    • As for seasonal measures, the relevant ministry devices conduct periodic inspections of flood outlets and immediately address any encroachments on the paths of these outlets, removing them to maintain the flood water drainage network without any obstacles or backfilling. The presence of such obstacles is dangerous as it leads to the accumulation of flood waters in front of them, causing a rise in water levels in the outlet, flooding surrounding lands, and posing an imminent threat to citizens and structures.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Within the framework of proactive measures, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation operates a rainfall forecasting center to monitor the amounts and locations of rainfall three days before it occurs. This data is provided immediately via a WhatsApp group that includes all relevant ministries, authorities, and governorates, enabling all entities to take the necessary proactive measures to deal with heavy rains and floods. The ministry also lowers water levels in canals and drains in areas where forecasts indicate heavy rainfall, so that the waterway network can accommodate additional water volumes. In addition, the ministry continuously monitors to ensure the readiness of lifting stations and emergency units to handle any water congestion.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • In the context of the above, the role played by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in developing and managing water resources, maximizing the benefit from flood waters and rainwater harvesting, and protecting infrastructure from flood risks involves the construction of numerous structures on wadis. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          These structures aim to provide protection for citizens, as well as for cities, Bedouin villages, tourist facilities, roads, communication lines, gas, water and\u00a0 electricity lines, and electricity towers- whose value is estimated at tens of billions- in addition to harvesting rainwater and collecting it in artificial lakes in front of protection dams for use by Bedouin communities in surrounding areas, and providing stability for Bedouin settlements by recharging the groundwater aquifer, ensuring the sustainability of the water source.<\/strong><\/p>\n

          These structures are considered a necessary investment to confront climate challenges, transform the threat of floods into a valuable water resource, and ensure the safety of citizens, urban development, and economic growth.<\/strong><\/p>\n

          They form an essential part of strategies for adapting to climate change and reducing human and economic losses, through dams, artificial lakes, and flood outlets.<\/strong><\/p>\n

          The flood protection works<\/u><\/strong> implemented by the agencies of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation include 1363 artificial structures (dams – artificial lakes – mountain lakes – artificial channels – barriers – protection bridges – ground reservoirs – calming basins – Irish crossings – sedimentation basins – lake spillways – infiltration wells – weirs) at a cost of 4.5 billion Egyptian pounds and with a total storage capacity of 160 million cubic meters.<\/strong><\/p>\n

          The artificial structures consist of<\/u><\/strong> (81 dams – 67 artificial lakes – 242 mountain lakes – 42 artificial channels – 116 barriers – 8 protection bridges – 659 ground reservoirs – 15 calming basins – 7 Irish crossings – 1 sedimentation basin – 1 lake spillway – 111 infiltration wells – 13 weirs).<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Currently under construction<\/u><\/strong> are 53 artificial structures (dams- artificial lakes – artificial channels – barriers) at a cost of 470.4 million Egyptian pounds and with a total storage capacity of 25 million cubic meters.<\/strong><\/p>\n

          The artificial structures consist of<\/u><\/strong> (8 dams – 22 artificial lakes – 2 artificial channels – 21 barriers).<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Currently undergoing rehabilitation and efficiency improvement <\/u><\/strong>are 5 artificial structures (lakes – barriers) at a cost of 26.3 million Egyptian pounds and with a total storage capacity of 17 million cubic meters.<\/strong><\/p>\n

          The artificial structures consist of <\/u><\/strong>(2 artificial lakes – 3 earth barriers).<\/strong><\/p>\n

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          North Sinai Governorate:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • The implemented flood protection works in North Sinai Governorate include 50 artificial structures (dams – artificial lakes – barriers – protection bridges – ground reservoirs – calming basins) at a cost of 154 million Egyptian pounds and with a total storage capacity of 14 million cubic meters.<\/strong><\/li>\n
          • The artificial structures consist of (8 dams – 1 artificial lake – 2 barriers – 1 protection bridge – 33 ground reservoirs – 5 calming basins).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            South Sinai Governorate:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
              \n
            • The implemented flood protection works in South Sinai Governorate include 510 artificial structures (dams – artificial lakes- mountain lakes – artificial channels – barriers – protection bridges – ground reservoirs – calming basins – Irish crossings -sedimentation basins – lake spillway – weirs) at a cost of 3.2 billion Egyptian pounds and with a total storage capacity of 88 million cubic meters.<\/strong><\/li>\n
            • The artificial structures consist of (54 dams – 45 artificial lakes – 242 mountain lakes – 36 artificial channels – 84 barriers – 7 protection bridges – 15 ground reservoirs – 5 calming basins – 7 Irish crossings – 1 sedimentation basin – 1 lake spillway – 13 weirs).<\/strong><\/li>\n
            • Currently under construction are 5 artificial structures (artificial lakes – barriers) in Abu Redis city at a cost of 132.879 million Egyptian pounds with a total storage capacity of 13 million cubic meters.<\/strong><\/li>\n
            • The artificial structures consist of (2 artificial lakes \u2013 3 barriers).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Red Sea Governorate:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
                \n
              • The implemented flood protection works in the Red Sea Governorate include 74 artificial structures (dams – artificial lakes – artificial channels – barriers – calming basins) at a cost of 1 billion Egyptian pounds and with a total storage capacity of 54 million cubic meters. The artificial structures consist of (18 dams – 21 artificial lakes – 6 artificial channels – 24 barriers – 5 calming basins).<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • Currently under construction are 42 artificial structures (dams – artificial lakes – artificial channels – barriers) in the cities of Ras Gharib and Marsa Alam at a cost of 298.291 million Egyptian pounds and with a total storage capacity of 11.6 million cubic meters.<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • The artificial structures consist of (7 dams – 20 artificial lakes – 2 artificial channels – 13 barriers).<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • The protection works in the city of (Ras Gharib) to protect the Monastery of Saint Paul and Saint Anthony consist of (9 artificial lakes – 2 artificial channels – 9 barriers) at a cost of 49.998 million Egyptian pounds and with a storage capacity of 400 thousand cubic meters.<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • The protection works in the city of (Marsa Alam) consist of (7 dams – 11 artificial lakes – 4 barriers) at a cost of 248.293 million Egyptian pounds and with a storage capacity of 11.2 million cubic meters.<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • Currently undergoing rehabilitation and efficiency improvement are 4 artificial structures (lakes – barriers) in Shalatin city in Wadi Hawdayn at a cost of 10.7 million Egyptian pounds and with a total storage capacity of 17 million cubic meters.<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • The artificial structures consist of (2 artificial lakes – 2 earth barriers).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Matrouh Governorate:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
                  \n
                • The implemented flood protection works in Matrouh Governorate include 729 artificial structures (dams – barriers – ground reservoirs – infiltration wells) at a cost of 113.274 million Egyptian pounds and with a total storage capacity of 5 million cubic meters. The artificial structures consist of (1 dam – 6 barriers – 611 ground reservoirs – 111 infiltration wells).<\/strong><\/li>\n
                • Currently under construction are 5 artificial structures (dams – barriers) in the Al-Qasr area in Wadi Umm Al-Shitan with a total storage capacity of 415 thousand cubic meters.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                • The artificial structures consist of (1 dam – 5 earth barriers).<\/strong><\/li>\n
                • Currently undergoing rehabilitation and efficiency improvement is 1 artificial structure (earth barrier) in the Al-Qasr area in Wadi Umm Al-Shitan with a total storage capacity of 179.5 thousand cubic meters.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                • The artificial structure consists of (1 earth barrier).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Total cost for the construction and rehabilitation process: 59.733 million Egyptian pounds.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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                  Environmental Dimensions<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
                    \n
                  • Contributing to the stability of existing development clusters.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                  • Preserving water resources through harvesting and storing rainwater and floodwater, and reducing environmental pollution.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                  • Utilizing flood waters to recharge the groundwater aquifer, as well as for daily and agricultural uses by residents in the surrounding areas.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                  • Preserving infrastructure: protecting roads, gas and electricity lines, water stations, and sanitation from destruction.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                  • Directing floods through natural or artificial outlets away from residential clusters and infrastructure.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                  • Climate adaptation: <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    early preparedness for climate extremes through an integrated system of forecasting, monitoring, and early warning.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

                    Economic Dimensions<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
                      \n
                    • Increasing job opportunities and expanding agricultural land in targeted development areas.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                    • Reducing economic losses resulting from floods and protecting investments and development projects.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                    • Supporting the development of desert and mountainous areas and settling Bedouins by providing and sustainably utilizing water resources.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Social Dimensions<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
                        \n
                      • Protecting citizens’ lives and properties, including lands and homes, from flood risks and averting the destructive danger of floods from cities, villages, and population clusters, thereby reducing human and material losses.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      • Improving living standards, public services, and infrastructure.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      • Providing job opportunities for youth during the implementation of structures.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      • Harvesting and storing water: collecting heavy rainwater in artificial lakes and dams for use in various daily activities and diverse needs related to human settlements.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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