SONABEL Advances Spillage Due to Surge
SONABEL, Burkina Faso’s power company, rescheduled the Bagre Dam’s controlled water spillage to August 25, 2025, from August 27, due to a water level surge to 90.24% capacity (234.27 meters) as of August 23, prompting urgent action to prevent overflow.
The Water Resources Commission (WRC) issued a statement urging communities along the White Volta River to follow safety guidelines from local authorities to mitigate flooding risks. The spillage, starting at 08:00, threatens Ghana’s Upper East and North East regions.
Historically, Bagre Dam spillages have caused severe flooding, damaging farmlands and displacing thousands in Ghana. In 2024, 15,000 hectares of crops were lost, per NADMO reports. Residents are advised to move to higher ground to protect their lives and property.
SONABEL’s decision follows heavy rainfall, with the Kompienga Dam at 79.36% capacity. The WRC and NADMO are coordinating emergency responses, including evacuations, to support 200,000 at-risk residents along the White Volta Basin.
Farmers, like Samuel Azure in Binduri, expressed concerns over short notice, fearing crop losses. The government plans to distribute relief items, including rice and tools, to affected communities, with ongoing monitoring to ensure safety.