Bagré Dam spillage more than doubles as Ghana prepares for possible flooding

The spillage of excess water from Burkina Faso’s Bagré Dam has intensified, with the volume of water being released more than doubling within a day as the reservoir approaches its normal operating level.

The Société Nationale d'Électricité du Burkina Faso (SONABEL), which manages the dam, began releasing excess water last Friday following a continued rise in the reservoir’s water level.

As of 8 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, the upstream water level stood at 234.95 metres, only 0.05 metres below the Normal Operating Water Level of 235.00 metres.

The reservoir was 99.33 per cent full, while the average discharge had increased to 240.40 cubic metres per second.

The development has raised concerns over possible effects downstream, particularly as water levels in Ghana’s White Volta and Black Volta rivers continue to rise.

The Kompienga Dam in Burkina Faso, meanwhile, recorded an upstream water level of 178.26 metres, with its reservoir 82.65 per cent full.

Its water level remained 1.74 metres below the Normal Operating Water Level of 180.00 metres, while the average discharge stood at 19.08 cubic metres per second.

In Ghana, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has activated an emergency response strategy to minimise the potential impact of flooding arising from the dam spillage.

The measures include the deployment of Operation Thunder Bolt and the establishment of safe havens in flood-prone communities to provide temporary accommodation for people who may be displaced.

NADMO has also undertaken water-level assessments on rivers and streams considered likely to be affected by the increased water flow.

Regional Director of NADMO, Alhaji Tahiru Rafiu, earlier assured that the organisation was adequately prepared to respond to any flooding resulting from the spillage.

“We are well prepared. The negative impact we experience will be drastically reduced. We cannot eliminate it completely because it is both a natural and man-made disaster,” he said.

He nevertheless urged communities downstream to take precautionary measures and remain alert to developments to prevent loss of lives and property should flooding occur.