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Giant Dam Is Messing Up Water in Africa Even Before It Is Filled

Ethiopia is at odds with Sudan and Egypt over filling a reservoir that affects the Blue Nile river and the tens of millions of people who live near its banks.

The Blue Nile River in Roseires, Sudan, on June 8. — The Blue Nile River in Roseires, Sudan, on June 8.

By

Simon Marks and

Mohammed Alamin

July 9, 2021, 5:00 AM UTC

As Ethiopia begins diverting 13.5 billion cubic meters of water from the Blue Nile river to its controversial new mega-dam, residents of Sudan to the south fear a repetition of last year’s devastating drought.

The second stage of filling the $4.5 billion reservoir is ratcheting up tensions between Ethiopia and neighbors Sudan and Egypt, who depend on the Nile to support farming and generate power for their economies.