The Water Resources Commission (WRC) has issued a public safety alert to communities along the White Volta River and adjoining areas ahead of the planned controlled spillage of water from the Bagré Dam in Burkina Faso.
The Commission said the controlled release is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, following a significant rise in the reservoir level of the dam.
The warning was contained in a statement issued by the WRC on Thursday, August 27, 2026, based on information received from SONABEL, the operators of the Bagré Dam in Burkina Faso.
According to the Commission, the water level of the dam stood at 234.64 metres as of August 27, with the reservoir recording a filling rate of 95.19 per cent.
The WRC explained that the water level was only 0.36 metres below the dam’s normal reservoir level of 235.0 metres, prompting SONABEL to schedule the controlled spillage to manage the rising volume of water in the reservoir.
The planned release has raised concerns for communities downstream along the White Volta River, where increased water flows could result in rising river levels and potentially expose low-lying areas to flooding.
The WRC has therefore urged residents and other stakeholders in communities along the White Volta and adjoining areas to take the necessary precautions ahead of and during the spillage.
The Commission specifically called on residents, farmers, fishermen, businesses and other persons operating within potentially affected areas to remain vigilant and avoid activities that could expose them to danger as water levels increase.
It also urged communities to strictly adhere to safety guidelines, directives and advisories issued by Local Assemblies and other appropriate state agencies.
The Commission stressed the need for residents to pay close attention to official announcements and instructions from local authorities and emergency management agencies.
Communities in flood-prone and low-lying areas have been encouraged to take early precautionary measures rather than wait until water levels begin to rise significantly.
The WRC also advised residents to avoid crossing swollen rivers or waterways and to exercise caution when engaging in activities close to river channels and other areas that could be affected by increased water flows.
The planned Bagré Dam spillage comes at a time when Ghana is experiencing its rainy season, a period during which increased rainfall and runoff can contribute to rising water levels in major rivers and streams.
The White Volta River system is particularly important in this regard because water released from the Bagré Dam in Burkina Faso eventually flows downstream into Ghana.
Consequently, developments at the dam in Burkina Faso can have implications for communities situated along the White Volta and its tributaries in Ghana.
The WRC’s advance notice is intended to give communities, local authorities and relevant emergency response agencies an opportunity to prepare for any potential increase in water levels and minimise the risk to lives and property.
The Commission has urged Local Assemblies and relevant agencies to remain proactive and ensure that residents within potentially vulnerable areas receive timely information and safety instructions.
Residents have also been encouraged to cooperate with authorities should evacuation or other emergency measures become necessary.
The WRC emphasised that the planned release is a controlled water spillage, but said communities along the affected waterways must nevertheless remain alert and take appropriate safety measures.
The Commission is expected to continue monitoring developments relating to the Bagré Dam and the downstream water situation and provide further updates where necessary.
Meanwhile, residents along the White Volta River and adjoining areas have been urged to remain calm but vigilant, follow official directives and prioritise the safety of lives and property as the controlled spillage begins.
- The WRC has reiterated that members of the public should rely on information from authorised agencies and Local Assemblies rather than unverified reports or rumours concerning the water release.
By 1960news.com
