VRA warns of flooding along banks of White Volta

Accra, Sept. 3, GNA - The Volta River Authority (VRA) on Thursday warned of possible flooding along the banks of the White Volta when the Burkina Faso authorities, as expected spill water from their Bagre and Kopienga dams.

A statement signed by Ms Abla Fiadjoe, Acting Director of General Services, said its Burkinabe sister company, SONABEL, was expecting heavy rainfall in September, which could lead to possible spilling of water from the two dams in the next few days. "The spilling of water may cause the White Volta River to swell and overflow its banks which is likely to cause flooding." The statement advised residents and communities along the banks of the White Volta and Black River in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions to take precautionary measures to avoid being adversely affected.

It said areas likely to be affected are: Widana, Pusiga, Kulungugu, Bazua, Binduri, Nakoliga. Natinga and Voko in the Bawku East District ; Gogo, Saka and Sapeliga in the Bawku West District; Bukperi and Tako in the Gambaga District and communities along the fringes of River Sissili, Wahabu and Kulun in the Upper West Region. In another development, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in a statement signed by Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Co-ordinator on Thursday advised communities living in the catchments of the Black and White Volta, the Sisala and Kulpawn rivers to relocate to avoid being flooded by the water spillage.

The spillage, expected to occur from Friday, September 4, when the Bagre Dam is opened by the Burkinabe authorities, could destroy lives and properties if the affected communities did not relocate. "NADMO, therefore, appeals to all communities living in the catchments of the Black and White Volta, Sisala and the Kulpawn River to move away from areas likely to be flooded due to the spillage to avoid any disasters," it said.

"Equally, people in communities along the Volta Lake and other tributaries are reminded to take precautionary measures to avert any disaster likely to pose by the spillage from the dam, "it added. The statement, however, gave the assurance that management of NADMO had put its monitoring team on the ground to respond to any emergency situation that might arise as a result of the spillage. 3 Sept. 09