The spillage of water from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso is set to commence on Monday, August 19, 2024. It is expected that Ghana, through the Upper East Region, will receive direct flows from the Bagre Dam within 6 to 10 days after the dam is opened.
An update from SONABEL, Burkina Faso’s power utility, reported that the water level in the Bagre Dam had been rising steadily since August 2, 2024, reaching an upstream level of 232.82 meters as of August 16.
“Consequently, SONABEL will commence the spillage of water from the Bagre Dam on Monday, August 19, 2024,” a statement from the Water Resources Commission indicated. Jesse Kazapoe, Basin Director of the Water Resources Commission, added in the statement that the spillage of water may cause the White Volta River to overflow its banks and likely occupy its normal flood plains.
As a result, “residents along the banks of the White Volta River are accordingly advised to take precautionary measures to avoid being adversely affected.”
“This is to inform you for your further action relating to flood management. We will furnish you with additional information on this matter as it becomes available to us,” the statement added.
Over the years, the spillage of the Bagre Dam has had significant environmental and socio-economic consequences. The annual release of water from the Bagre Dam has often led to flooding in downstream areas, particularly in northern Ghana. These floods have caused the displacement of thousands of people, the destruction of farmlands, and the loss of livestock.
In response to these recurring floods, President Akufo-Addo on November 29, 2019, cut the sod in the Upper East Region to commence the construction of the much-touted Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project. The project was designed to serve as a flood control mechanism for the Bagre Dam spillage, provide irrigation for over 25,000 hectares of farmland, and generate 60 MW of hydroelectric power. However, the construction of the dam remains in limbo almost 5 years after the sod-cutting ceremony.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatanga|Ghana
