Cairo: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem has directed increased flood monitoring efforts after heavy rains affected multiple governorates. Engineer Abu Bakr Al-Roubi, Head of the Groundwater Sector, provided a report detailing the impact of severe weather on North and South Sinai, the Red Sea, and Matrouh, which occurred on March 25 and 26, 2026.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the report highlighted that South Sinai Governorate experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, particularly in the Gulf of Suez cities, including Ras Sudr, Abu Zenima, Abu Rudeis, and Saint Catherine. This led to flash floods in areas such as the valleys of Al-Arbaeen, Al-Tuffaha, and Al-Talaa. These floods contributed to significant water collection in mountain lakes and Lake No. 1 at the mouth of Wadi Al-Sheikh in the Saint Catherine area, amounting to approximately 200,000 cubic meters.

Sweilem has instructed the Groundwater Sector to maintain vigilant monitoring and conduct regular field visits to assess the flood protection infrastructure. The ministry is tasked with coordinating continuously with relevant authorities and providing updates on the flood situation to ensure readiness and responsiveness.