Bagré Dam Spillage Rescheduled to August 25 – Communities Urged to Brace for Possible Flooding

By Samuel Asamoah 

The Water Resources Commission (WRC) has announced that the planned spillage of the Bagré Dam in Burkina Faso will now take place on Monday, August 25, 2025, instead of the earlier date set for Wednesday.

According to the Commission, the power-producing company in charge of the dam, SONABEL, altered the date due to a sudden rise in the water level of the facility. As of August 23, the dam had reached a filling capacity of 90.24 percent and a water level of 234.27 metres, necessitating an earlier opening of the floodgates to prevent overflow.

The Commission has warned communities along the White Volta River and adjoining areas in northern Ghana to be on high alert and take precautionary measures ahead of the spillage. Residents are being advised to strictly follow safety guidelines issued by their local assemblies and relevant emergency agencies.

The WRC further cautioned that the spillage could pose flooding risks to low-lying communities and urged residents to remain vigilant, relocate to safer grounds if necessary, and cooperate with disaster management officials.

The annual spillage of the Bagré Dam has historically posed challenges to downstream communities in Ghana, often resulting in displacement, destruction of farmlands, and damage to property. Authorities are therefore mobilizing local disaster response mechanisms to minimize potential impacts this year.