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{"user_id":1778,"source":"https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53416277","source_type":"link","title":"River Nile dam: Reservoir filling up, Ethiopia confirms","description":"Officials confirm satellite images showing water levels rising, amid failed talks with Egypt and Sudan.","html":"\u003c!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN\" \"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd\"\u003e\n\u003chtml\u003e\u003cbody\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"cr-title\"\u003eRiver Nile dam: Reservoir filling up, Ethiopia confirms\u003c/h1\u003e\n \u003cdiv id=\"cr-content\"\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"readability-page-1\" class=\"page\"\u003e\u003cdiv width=\"compact\"\u003e\u003carticle\u003e\u003cheader\u003e\u003c/header\u003e\u003cdiv data-component=\"image-block\"\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"View of the dam construction site\" src=\"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/140A9/production/_113398028_gettyimages-1192325323.jpg\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eimage copyright\u003c/span\u003eGetty Images\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption style=\"display: none;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eimage caption\u003c/span\u003eThe dam's construction, seen here in December 2019, began in 2011\u003c/figcaption\u003e\u003c/figure\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA reservoir behind Ethiopia's disputed Grand Renaissance dam on the River Nile has started filling with water - a day after talks with Egypt and Sudan ended without agreement, officials say. \u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEthiopian Water Minister Seleshi Bekele confirmed the latest satellite images showing water levels rising.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEthiopia sees the hydroelectric project as crucial for its economic growth. \u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut Egypt and Sudan, which are downstream, fear the large dam will greatly reduce their access to water.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYears of fraught negotiations have failed to reach a consensus on how and when to fill the reservoir, and how much water it should release.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEgyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has previously warned that filling and operating the dam without an agreement \"that protects the downstream communities… would heighten tensions and could provoke crises and conflicts that further destabilise an already troubled region\". \u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eA conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia, which are both US allies, would put millions of civilians at risk.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-component=\"crosshead-block\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-did-the-minister-say\"\u003eWhat did the minister say?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn Wednesday, Mr Seleshi told Ethiopian state broadcaster EBC that water had started filling the reservoir \"in line with the natural process\", adding: \"The construction of the dam and the filling of the water go hand in hand.\"\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis comments come after satellite images taken between 27 June and 12 July show a steady increase in the amount of water being held back by the dam.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe reservoir behind the dam will fill naturally during Ethiopia's rainy season, which began in June and lasts until September.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe latest satellite images caused a wave of excitement in Ethiopia over the $4bn (£3.2bn) Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd) project - but caused concern in Egypt. \u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"image-block\"\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Transparent line\" src=\"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/4BEB/production/_112953491__108802839_624_transparent-nc.png\" width=\"624\" height=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/figure\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen fully operational, the dam will become the largest hydro-electric plant in Africa, providing power to some 65 million Ethiopians, who currently lack a regular electricity supply. However, Egypt gets almost all of its water from the Nile and fears the dam will reduce supplies.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-component=\"crosshead-block\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"how-will-the-dam-be-filled\"\u003eHow will the dam be filled?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe minister's announcement has confirmed that rain water has already started to build up. Ethiopia had always said it would fill the dam in July, while Egypt had warned it to delay while talks continued.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGiven the stage that the construction is at \"there is nothing that can stop the reservoir from filling to the low point of the dam\", Dr Kevin Wheeler, who has been following the Gerd project since 2012, told the BBC.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the start of the process in 2011, the dam has been built around the Blue Nile as it continued to flow through the enormous building site.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-graphicuuid=\"84b52f4e-a000-4397-a050-10f09353b30d\" data-idt-uuid=\"84b52f4e-a000-4397-a050-10f09353b30d\" data-component=\"include-block\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-graphicpic=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https://news.files.bbci.co.uk/include/idt2/assets/1bcfc1b0-c6c0-418a-a1ea-d378947ddb59\" alt=\"The Gerd in construction\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReuters\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-graphictext=\"true\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfrica's biggest hydropower project\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction began\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eon the Blue Nile in 2011\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe $4bn cost\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehas been partly met by citizens buying bonds\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe power generated\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewill transform the lives of millions of Ethiopians\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEgypt is worried\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eas it almost entirely relies on the water from the Nile\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt sits downstream\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eof the dam and wants a guaranteed flow of water\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNegotiations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehave so far failed to reach a deal on some key issues\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSource: Reuters/BBC\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"image-block\"\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Transparent line\" src=\"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/4BEB/production/_112953491__108802839_624_transparent-nc.png\" width=\"624\" height=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/figure\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBuilders could work on the vast structures on either side of the river without any problem. In the middle, during the dry season, the river was diverted through culverts, or pipes, to allow that section to be built up.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe bottom of the middle section is now complete and the river is currently flowing through bypass channels at the foot of the wall.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"image-block\"\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Presentational grey line\" src=\"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/1226D/production/_105894347_grey_line-nc.png\" width=\"640\" height=\"2\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/figure\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-component=\"crosshead-block\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"you-may-also-be-interested-in\"\u003eYou may also be interested in:\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"image-block\"\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Presentational grey line\" src=\"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/1226D/production/_105894347_grey_line-nc.png\" width=\"640\" height=\"2\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/figure\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the impact of the rainy season begins to be felt at the dam site, the amount of water that can pass through those channels will soon be less than the amount of water entering the area, meaning that it will back up further and add to the lake that will sit behind the dam, Dr Wheeler said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Ethiopian authorities can close the gates on some of the channels to increase the amount of water being held back but this may not be necessary, he added.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-component=\"crosshead-block\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"how-long-will-it-take-to-fill\"\u003eHow long will it take to fill?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the first year, the Gerd will retain 4.9 billion cubic meters (bcm) of water, taking it up to the height of the lowest point on the dam wall, allowing Ethiopia to test the first set of turbines. On average, the total annual flow of the Blue Nile is 49bcm. \u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the dry season the lake will recede a bit, allowing for the dam wall to be built up and in the second year a further 13.5bcm will be retained.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy that time, the water level should have reached the second set of turbines, meaning that the flow of water can be managed more deliberately.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"image-block\"\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Presentational grey line\" src=\"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/1226D/production/_105894347_grey_line-nc.png\" width=\"640\" height=\"2\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/figure\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-component=\"crosshead-block\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"explore-the-nile-with-360-video\"\u003eExplore the Nile with 360 video\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eJoin Alastair Leithead and his team, travelling in 2018 from the Blue Nile's source to the sea - through Ethiopia and Sudan into Egypt.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"image-block\"\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Presentational grey line\" src=\"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/1226D/production/_105894347_grey_line-nc.png\" width=\"640\" height=\"2\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/figure\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEthiopia says it will take between five to seven years to fill up the dam to its maximum flood season capacity of 74bcm. At that point, the lake that will be created could stretch back some 250km (155 miles) upstream. \u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetween each subsequent flood season the reservoir will be lowered to 49.3bcm.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"image-block\"\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Ethiopia dam map\" src=\"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4BCE/production/_109560491_river_nile_dam_640-nc.png\" width=\"640\" height=\"986\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/figure\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"image-block\"\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Transparent line\" src=\"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/4BEB/production/_112953491__108802839_624_transparent-nc.png\" width=\"624\" height=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/figure\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEgypt, which almost entirely relies on the Nile for its water needs, is concerned that in most years of the filling it is not guaranteed a specific volume of water.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd once the filling stage is over, Ethiopia is reluctant to be tied to a figure of how much water to release.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn years of normal or above average rainfall that should not be a problem, but Egypt is nervous about what might happen during prolonged drought.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-component=\"crosshead-block\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-happening-with-the-talks\"\u003eWhat is happening with the talks?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNegotiations over the mega dam have failed to reach agreement after nearly a decade of talks between Egypt and Ethiopia, with Sudan caught in between. \u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLast year, Egypt sought the intervention of the US on the impasse.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEgyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi requested that US President Donald Trump mediate the conflict, which Ethiopia was initially reluctant to accept.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe US and the World Bank got involved but failed to get Ethiopia to sign up to a document agreed with Egypt in February.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen the US then said that the dam should not be completed without an agreement, Ethiopia accused the superpower of overstepping its role as a neutral observer. \u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-component=\"text-block\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe African Union (AU) has now said it will try to find a solution.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003csection data-component=\"see-alsos\"\u003e\u003cul role=\"list\" spacing=\"responsive\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/section\u003e\u003c/article\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/body\u003e\u003c/html\u003e\n","hash_id":"xDiaCXIsSxz5","author":"BBC News","reading_time":"7 min read","link_sharing":true,"archived":false,"favourited":false,"folder_id":5431,"tag_list":[]}