14 May 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – A moderate earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale struck Ethiopia on Monday, raising concerns about potential damage to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), according to Professor Abbas Sharaky of Geology and Water Resources at Cairo University.
While the earthquake’s strength is considered moderate, Professor Sharaky warns that its impact could be significant due to the region’s lack of preparedness for seismic activity compared to countries like Japan.
The professor expresses particular concern for the GERD, a massive dam holding 35 billion cubic meters of water. He warns that any cracks in the dam’s structure could trigger a catastrophic flood in neighboring Sudan.
Highlighting East Africa’s status as the most seismically active region in Africa, Professor Sharaky emphasizes the importance of thorough geological assessments before undertaking large-scale infrastructure projects, especially water projects vulnerable to cracks or damage during seismic events.
He cites the 2023 collapse of two dams near Derna, Libya, caused by Hurricane Daniel, as an example, noting that the GERD is 15,000 times larger.
