The decision, according to a report received by the Ghanaian disaster management organization follows a rapid rise in water levels that has exceeded initial projections.
The Northern Regional Director of NADMO, Alhaji Haruna Abukari Malba, in a statement said, “Following report received from our development partners in Burkina Faso (SONABEL ENERGY) about the spillage of the Bagre Dam, on Monday 25th August, 2025, we hereby wish to announce for the information of the general public to be on the alert and move to higher grounds”.
“This flood alert therefore is to inform the general public, the Communities along the White and Black Volta Lakes as well as our development partners to be on the alert, and to get all the Communities who may be at risk to move to higher grounds, since the rivers will overflow its banks and some farms along the rivers will be flooded” he added.
The spillage is high since the current Bagre Dam level as at Saturday, 23rd August, 2025, was 234.27m, with a filling rate of 90.24% as against the maximum spillage level of 235m.
The report from SONABEL further indicates that, the water level of the Bagre Dam seems to be rising rapidly, and the opening of the valves is scheduled on Monday 25th August, 2025.
Alhaji Haruna said the main objective of the alert is to ensure zero loss of lives and properties of residents along the Black and White Voltage lakes as well as mitigating the impact on livelihoods.
He emphasized, “Also the natural habitat of reptiles will be disturbed and people should be careful along the rivers as the risk of snake bites is high during this period. The reptiles will also be struggling for survival as they will move upland, on debris and on top of trees along the rivers.”