Dr. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, received a report from Engineer Abu Bakr Al-Roubi, Head of the Groundwater Sector, regarding the readiness of flood drainage channels and protection structures to deal with the upcoming flood and heavy rain season. The report reviewed the inspection results of flood protection facilities in North Sinai Governorate to ensure their preparedness for the upcoming flood season. Sewilam directed continuous field inspections by ministry teams to ensure the completion of clearing flood drainage channels before the heavy rain season begins, and to verify the readiness of protection structures and artificial lakes in front of protection dams to receive floodwaters.

The ministry has implemented more than 1,648 protection structures against flood risks, including dams, artificial and mountain lakes, artificial canals, barriers, protection bridges, underground reservoirs, calming basins, crossings, and spillways, which provide protection for citizens, cities, and infrastructure, in addition to harvesting rainwater usable by Bedouin communities. Seasonal measures include periodic inspections of 119 flood drainage channels totaling 336 kilometers, with immediate action against any encroachments on these waterways. As a proactive measure, the ministry operates a rainfall forecasting center that monitors rainfall quantities and locations three days in advance, sharing data instantly via a WhatsApp group involving all ministries, concerned authorities, and governorates to enable preemptive measures against heavy rains and floods. The ministry also lowers water levels in canals and drains in areas forecasted for heavy rainfall to accommodate additional water volumes, alongside continuous monitoring to ensure the readiness of pumping stations and emergency units to handle any water congestion.

Sewilam added that climate changes and resulting variations in rainfall quantities and locations have prompted the ministry to update flood mitigation and protection designs to align with climate extremes and to review and update the capacity of drainage channels and artificial lakes at some sites.