VRA warns of flood along banks of White Volta

Accra, Aug. 7, GNA - The management of Volta River Authority (VRA) on Saturday said management of SONABEL, power utility in Burkina Faso, had indicated that the water level in the Bagre Dam had been rising rapidly due to heavy rainfall experienced in the past few days.

It said as a result, the dam could no longer contain the volume of water in the reservoir and therefore were compelled to open the spillway gates at the Bagre Dam, which might cause the White Volta River to swell and most likely overflow the normal flood plains.

A statement issued by the management in Accra said "the spillage, which would be regulated to minimise the impact, is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 10, 2010."

It advised residents along the banks of White Volta River from SAPELIGA, on the Burkina Faso border to take precautionary measures to avert the adverse consequences of flooding in the flood prone areas.

"All stakeholders are respectfully requested to assist in alerting, in every way possible, people in those areas along the banks of the White Volta River of the impending spillage", the statement added.