Opening of dam could cause serious flooding

Officials at Burkina Faso's National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) warned on 11 August 2008 that the Bagre Dam, located in the Central East province on the Volta River, may have to be opened on 21 August, potentially causing serious flooding conditions downriver, especially in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana. Officials stated that the dam will have to be opened if water levels continue to rise, as the region continues to be affected by heavy rainfall during this year's rainy season. NADMO officials warned residents of communities along the White Volta and its tributaries to take all necessary precautions ahead of the possible flooding. The Bagre Dam was last opened in August 2007, severely affecting residents along the Black and White Volta in northern Ghana. If the dam is opened, officials expect that many down-river areas of Ghana will be completely flooded and the waters will most likely destroy crops and homes in those regions.