A recent series of powerful earthquakes in northwest Ethiopia prompted an evacuation of over 80,000 people, yet Sudanese geoscientists assure that these seismic events pose little risk to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The dam, designed to resist seismic activity, is situated far from the recent epicenters. Experts call for enhanced scientific collaboration to study the dam’s environmental effects on the Nile Basin.
Recent earthquakes affecting the Afar region in northwest Ethiopia have led to the evacuation of approximately 80,000 residents, raising concerns regarding the safety of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its potential impact on neighboring Sudan. However, Sudanese geoscientists assert that the risk to the GERD is minimal as the seismic activities are over 100 kilometers away, and the dam was designed to endure seismic events. The most recent quake, measuring 8.1, struck east of Addis Ababa, following other significant quakes occurring prior in the week.
Engineer Abdelkarim El Amin, an expert in surveying and earth sciences from Sudan, elaborated that the geological assessments conducted prior to the GERD’s construction ensure its resilience against earthquakes—even in full operational capacity. He emphasized that while the seismic activity may raise questions about the current water level in the dam’s reservoir, a leak is unlikely to impact the dam’s structural integrity significantly. El Amin stated, “Dams are designed with a maximum capacity to withstand earthquakes, and through monitoring around the world, we can see that they generally do not collapse as a result of earthquakes.”
Despite the low likelihood of a dam failure due to seismic events, he articulated the potential catastrophic consequences should such an event occur, particularly concerning flooding across the Nile Basin into Sudan. El Amin urged for enhanced collaborative studies focusing on the GERD’s implications for water resources in the region, independent of political influences.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a crucial infrastructure project located on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. Its construction aims to provide hydroelectric power and contribute to regional development. The dam’s significance extends beyond Ethiopian borders, impacting both Sudan and Egypt, which primarily rely on the Nile for drinking water and agricultural irrigation. Recently, a series of earthquakes in Ethiopia has prompted fears about the dam’s structural integrity; however, experts believe these fears may be unfounded due to the dam’s designed capacity to withstand seismic shocks and its significant distance from the epicenters of recent seismic activity.
In summary, while the series of earthquakes in Ethiopia has raised alarms regarding the GERD’s safety, experts maintain that the dam is well-prepared to withstand seismic activities. The distance of the quakes from the dam and its robust architectural design significantly reduce the probabilities of a safety breach affecting Sudan or Egypt. Continuous monitoring and scientific assessments are imperative to ensure the structural integrity of the dam and address environmental impacts associated with its reservoirs.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
