Burkina Faso’s national power company, SONABEL, is commencing a controlled spillage of the Bagre Dam today, Monday, August 25, 2025, earlier than planned due to rapidly rising water levels.
The power-generating authority had initially planned to commence spillage on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, but later announced that the procedure needed to be moved forward due to unexpectedly rising water levels. As of Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Bagre Dam stood at an elevation of 234.27 meters, corresponding to a filling rate of 90.24%, just 0.73 meters below its maximum retention level. Meanwhile, the Kompienga Dam was at 177.90 meters, or 79.36% full, positioned 2.10 meters below its normal retention level.
This situation has sparked fear among farmers and communities along the White Volta basin in Ghana, as annual spillage often leads to severe flooding in the Upper East and North East Regions, resulting in displacement, loss of life, snakebites, and destruction of farmlands.
Residents are concerned about potential damage to property and crops, especially given the limited time to relocate.
The Water Resources Commission (WRC) has issued precautionary advice for communities along the White Volta and adjoining areas to follow safety guidelines from local assemblies and relevant agencies.
The Head of the White Volta Basin at WRC, Mr. Jesse Kazapoe, said his outfit has sent out information educating farmers to move to high grounds to prevent loss of lives, but they cannot guarantee that food crops will not be lost since some farmers are still harvesting.
Mr. Isaac Pabia, Upper East Regional Focal Person and National Secretary of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), cautioned, “Some of our farmers have already evacuated, but we need to enforce buffers along water bodies so that farmers won’t farm too close to the rivers to avoid having their crops flooded every year.”
Mr. Christopher Beokena, Upper East Regional Deputy Director (Administration) of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), confirmed that district directors had been mobilized to sensitize farmers on the impending spillage and appropriate precautionary measures.
He added, “As we speak, some farmers have started harvesting, even though some of their crops are not mature, and we will be monitoring the issue and providing assistance.”
