The National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, has begun sensitizing farmers and residents along the White Volta to take precautionary measures following plans by authorities in Burkina Faso to spill excess water from the Bagre Dam in the next few days.
NADMO is therefore warning of possible flooding in areas along the White Volta in the Northern region and has advised farmers and residents to stay off their farms close to the riverbanks of the White Volta.
The Deputy National Coordinator of NADMO, Abu Ramadan gave the warning in an interview with radio Ghana in Tamale.
The spillage of the Bagre Dam which has become an annual ritual performed to keep the water in the dam at an optimal level has often resulted in the destruction of large farmlands and displaced hundreds of residents along the White Volta as the areas get flooded for weeks.
Mr. Ramadan said the Bagre dam is about 86 percent full hence the need for it to be opened. The authorities of Burkina Faso are anticipating Saturday, August 25 to spilling the dam.
He assured that measures have been put on the ground to avert heavy impact. He said the team this year has devise preventive strategies with expert divers, life rescue men and boat operators stationed at communities that are likely to be affected by the spillage.
Mr. Ramadan also added that a team of technical men are on the ground to sensitise residents and farmers to safety precautions. He said NADMO has distributed life jackets to the residents and they are also being trained on how to use them during emergency.
Mr. Ramadan advised farmers to avoid attempting to harvest their crops if they have not done so at the moment since the spillage might occur anytime soon and can pose danger to their lives.
He also advised residents and communities likely to be affected by the spillage to endeavor to notify NADMO through its emergency numbers of 02993550000 or 02993550030 in the event that they find themselves in a distress.
The Deputy NADMO Coordinator said about nine districts in the Northern region, eight districts in the Upper East as well as three districts each in Upper West and Eastern regions will not be spared from the spillage.
Filed by Joyce Kantam Kolamong
