Irrigation Ministry announces emergency state in heavy rain areas

Egypt's Water Resources and Irrigation Ministry has declared a state of emergency in governorates that are hit by heavy and torrential rains in the winter.

"Vacations of irrigation engineers and staffers have been cancelled in the areas prone to rains and torrential rains," Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hossam Moghazi said in statements on Friday.

He added that a plan was set to address the heavy rains in the coastal governorates, Red Sea, Sinai, Upper Egypt and the Northern Coast.

The plan includes checking dams and reservoirs, preparing the rain routes and making sure of the safety of bridges, he said.