The Nile River becomes less and less predictable

Nile River, Egypt

The Nile, one of the most important rivers for humans, both in the past and today, is becoming less and less predictable due to climate change. Some 400 million people in a total of 11 countries depend on it, but now, according to various studies, they will have to take serious measures to avoid both drought and heavy floods.

Its waters, so important for crops, have been studied since the time of the pharaohs. At that time, a series of "nilometers" were built to detect, predict and control the size of the annual flood. But with climate change, these buildings are likely not enough.

The population is growing a lot. By 2050, expected to double in the Nile basin, going from 400 million to 800, so now more than ever they depend on the river. Due to the continuous accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, torrential rains may be more and more abundant, which will mean that flooding will be more frequent.

The river is affected by the cycle of temperature oscillations in the Pacific: in 2015, the El Niño phenomenon was the cause of a severe drought that affected Egypt; a year later, La Niña caused major flooding.

Boat on the River Nile

Managing the river's flow has been a political issue for decades, and now it is becoming more complex as time progresses and temperatures rise. Researchers have warned that both the Middle East and North Africa could become increasingly inhospitable; Besides, the average volume of flow of the river could increase between 10 and 15%, being able to increase up to 50%, so that the problems would worsen considerably.

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