The Impact of the Nile Floods
The flooding of the Nile River is a crucial event for the existence of the region surrounding it. It has been used for hundreds of centuries to ensure that the region is well irrigated and has enough crops to sustain the population. This time of year has become a reputable and anticipated event in Egypt, an event in which communities are brought together to participate in the joyous tradition that is the expected result of the flood.
The sudden swell of river that occurs once a year is a natural phenomenon, and the first recorded occurrence of it in history dates back to Ancient Egypt’s successful agro-economy. The rise of the mighty Nile was seen to be beneficial for the Ancient Egyptians, who drained the extensive wetlands of that time for the production of crops and other vegetation. This benefit was double-sided; the floods fertilised the soil, providing essential nutrients that would have otherwise not been available to them, while also replenishing their freshwater reserves.
The effects of the Nile’s flood weren’t always positive. Each year, the unpredictable floods can cause severe damage to the surrounding areas, with heavy rainfall and rising river levels. Eroded soil, washed away establishments and the interruption of transport lines can have a devastating effect on the people who call the banks of the Nile their home. The danger doesn’t only come once a year in the form of flooding either; the water of the Nile can cause diseases, crop failure and kill livestock.
To aid in controlling this powerful natural force, people have used different techniques to try and make the flow of the river more predictable. In 1925 the Aswan Dam was completed, with the goal to lower the risk of floods and to also generate a reliable source of energy. The immediate results of the Dam were evident; the floods were now able to be predicted and the annual fluctuations in the river’s water level were lessened. Despite this success, however, a disagreement between Egypt and Sudan in which both countries believed they are entitled to the Nile’s flow caused tribulations that reached court. Eventually it was settled in favour of Egypt with the Nile Water Agreement of 1959.
The Nile River floods once a year due to a combination of atmospheric and Mediterranean Sea conditions, with more water brought in to the river by the increasing amounts of rainfall at higher altitudes. When the floodwaters arrive, they are directed into the massive web of canals, and the farmers are finally able to start planting their crops. Without this yearly even, agricultural production in the region would be unable to maintain, and would die out in a short amount of time.
The Benefits of the Floods
Not only do the annual floods of the Nile provide a means of subsistence for people in the region, but they also offer an opportunity for Egyptians to reconnect with their culture. Every season of inundation is then followed by a period of celebration known as the Kamalina, in which people come together to enjoy the traditional dances and festivities each village holds.
The Delta region, which is a flat expanse of land found on the shore of the Mediterranean where the Nile empties its waters, is home to an abundance of wildlife which benefits greatly from the aquatic vegetation and the carrion fed by the floods. Apart from this, there have been great developments in this region of Egypt mostly in the agricultural sector, with the production of fruits and vegetables almost doubling since the building of the Aswan Dam.
The increasing level of flooding is also beneficial in more modern contexts. The destructive force of the floods is channeled and utilised to create hydroelectric power. The turbines which are commonly found along the river not only convert kinetic energy from the running water into electricity, but they also feed the grid with enough power to fuel the demands of the people.
The Community’s Role in Mitigating the Negative Impact
Due to the danger posed by the floods, the people living and working in the region must be prepared to face the effects of it. Local communities have taken it upon themselves to build levees higher than the highest expected levels of flooding, and utilize one of the oldest methods of managing water, canalisation. By digging channels for the water, locals continue to control and direct it away from residential areas and towards their crops, thus minimising damage.
Apart from this, community projects such as tree-planting alongside the banks of the Nile has proven to be quite effective in the battle against erosion. Not only do they reduce the damage the river causes, but they also help to act as a natural barrier to the water.
On the macro level, the Egyptian government has identified areas prone to flooding and its aftermath, with mobile brigades of lifeguards that prepare citizens for the coming of the river and resort to drastic measures such as handing out sandbags when the situation worsens.
A Balancing Act for Nature
The environment of the Nile has a delicate balance which must be upheld; the river requires a certain level of water to ensure that the area is adequately irrigated but the acceptance of high levels of water can be disastrous. To counter this, local authorities take strategic steps such as releasing water from the Aswan Dam upstream, facilitating the drainage of the area while introducing enough water to achieving the desired effect.
The government has also enacted advanced techniques such as the installation of flood barriers where necessary to stop the water in its track, and the use of floodplain storage to create reservoirs for water that is not immediately needed to be released. This has become a vital tool in preserving the balance between the river and people that call the Nile their home.
The Future of Floods in the Nile
The future of the Nile is an optimistic one. Despite its potential danger, the waters of the river are few of the most used in the world for the purpose of generating electricity, and the Egyptian government has set up a sophisticated infrastructure to control it and ensure the safety of its people. With the yearly flood becoming a highly anticipated event, the future is looking bright for the people of Egypt.
Conclusion
In summary, the once a year flooding of the Nile River is an event that has been met with both praises and fear. An event that is essential to the survival of the region, it must be understood and the risks must be managed in order to achieve a sustainable lifestyle that coexists with the nearby waters.
