The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has called on residents living along the Bagre Dam and its adjoining areas to relocate immediately, after confirming that the annual spillage will begin earlier than anticipated.
In a statement released on Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Société Nationale d’Électricité du Burkina Faso (SONABEL) managers of the dam announced that water levels had risen faster than expected. As a result, the spillage, originally scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, will now commence on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Current data from SONABEL indicates that the Bagre Dam stands at 234.27 meters, representing 90.24% of its capacity, and just 0.73 meters below its maximum retention level. Similarly, the Kompienga Dam is at 177.90 meters, representing 79.36% of its filling rate, and 2.10 meters below its normal retention threshold.
NADMO cautioned that the annual spillage has historically triggered flooding along the Black Volta basin, leading to displacement, destruction of farmlands, snakebites, and even loss of lives.
“NADMO is calling on all communities in low-lying areas to move to safer grounds before the spillage begins to avoid any casualties,” the statement stressed.
